Mary Lou King, 75 of Faith, SD passed away on Tuesday afternoon, October 14, 2008 at St. Mary's Healthcare Center in Pierre, SD.


The Funeral Service will be Friday, Oct. 17th at 2 PM at the Faith Community Center. Pastor Muriel Oates will officiate and interment will be in the Faith Cemetery.


Visitations will be Thursday from 3 to 7 pm and Friday 9 to 12 noon at Faith Area Memorial Chapel and one hour prior to the service at the Community Center.


Serving as Casketbearers are Jesse King, Dawson King, Jordan Trujillo, Dillon Trujillo, Jarod Reed, Matthew Wagner, and Casey Koch. Honorary Casketbearers are Christopher Losey, Nathan Wagner, Jamie Trujillo, Jen Reed, Monica Losey, Jerrica King, Haley Wagner, Andrea Trujillo, and Jessie Koch.


A memorial has been established to the Faith United Methodist Church Air Conditioning Fund.


Mary Lou Escott was born June 20, 1933 at Faith, SD to Henry and Mary (Herron) Escott. She attended the Arrowhead and Usta schools near her ranch home and graduated from Faith High School. During her high school years she enjoyed participating in the music programs, singing in the chorus and playing the baritone in band. She also worked at Kelly's Grocery Store and at Royer's Cafe. Mary Lou was never afraid of work.


On February 14, 1952, she was married to her high school sweetheart, Donn King. They began their life together on a place 15 miles south of Plainview, living in an old log house. They then moved to a ranch near Usta and in 1958 into Faith. There she lovingly raised her family, and began a long life of participation in Faith Activities.


Mary Lou and Donn took many students and families into their home, caring and loving them as if they were their own. Thousands of sour dough pancakes were served at Mary Lou's table over the years. Mary Lou loved gardening and raising flowers as well as cooking for family and friends.


She again worked for the local grocery store for a time, and they operated a butcher shop, a saddlery business, and then operated the restaurant and lounge in the Faith Mall. Their King's Hiway Cafe later became the favorite place for a great meal, a cup of coffee and Mary Lou's homemade pie.


Cooking was another love of Mary Lou's and she developed and marketed "Mary Lou's All Purpose Dressing" and "Sweet and Hot Mustard", from an old recipe of her mother's. People far and near called on her to make many buckets of her homemade potato salad for their special occasions.


She was a member of the Faith United Methodist Church, sang in its choir, and the Faith Community Choir. She participated in the Faith Stock Show and Rodeo Assoc. and was a member of the cast of Faith's Theatre productions. Mary Lou was also a member of the Order of the Eastern Star.


Her grandchildren and family were the highest priority in her life although she gave so much to her work and community.


Mary Lou is lovingly survived by her husband, Donn, Faith; sons, Zane & Darlene King, Faith, Kevin & Sara Koch, Rapid City; daughters, Dawn & Floyd Pohlman, Kapaa, Hawaii, Kelly & Duane Wagner, Broomfield, CO, 9 grandchildren, 7 great grandchildren; brother, Gene Escott, Faith and a sister-in-law, Violet Spencer, Faith as well as numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, other relatives and numerous loving friends.


She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Jerry Escott and Melvin Spencer; sisters, Ellen Reed, Ella Schroder, Arlene Ogdahl and Jennie "Chubby" Butt.