Mary Louise Kahlow

Mary Louise Kahlow, age 84, passed away peacefully at home on July 15, 2026, after a battle with cancer. She was born on April 24, 1942, to Iona Grenke Doering and Arthur Gustav Doering in Gaylord, MN. She married Leslie W. Kahlow in Henderson, MN; their marriage was blessed with 2 children, Ann and David. Over the years, Mary and Les made their home together in Hopkins, MN, Waconia, MN, Plymouth, MN, and The Villages, FL. They were married for just over 60 years when Les passed in 2022.

Mary graduated from Henderson High School, and earned a degree in Medical Technology from the University of Minnesota. A brilliant student and a chemist through and through, Mary spent the first half of her career working in hospital labs and the second half of her career working in pharmaceutical research and development. She took great pride in her work, never losing sight of the fact that the integrity and exacting standards of her lab work were connected directly to patient diagnosis and care.

Mary was an avid gardener; all plants flourished in her care. She was a gifted seamstress, sewing beautiful clothing for herself and her family, and later, taking on home decor and quilting. She truly thrived as part of the Quilting Guild of The Villages. Mary and Les loved doing home improvement projects together, and they were early and active members of the Helping Hands group at church in The Villages. They took many memorable vacation trips together throughout the US and Europe. They treasured time spent with their children and grandchildren. Mary was a devoted friend to many, calm and steadfast, an excellent listener, of frank and wise counsel. She had a wonderful laugh and a quick wit. Without a doubt, her greatest joy in life came in her role as Grandma Mary.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Arthur and Iona Doering, and by her husband, Les. She is survived by daughter Ann (John) Hobbs, son David (Julie O Keefe) Kahlow, and grandchildren Penelope (Jaska) Hobbs, Thomas (Isabella Bouklas) Hobbs, Bodie Kahlow, and Mitchel Kahlow.

A Celebration of Life service will take place on Saturday September 26, 2026 at 1 pm at New Covenant United Methodist Church in The Villages, FL. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in memory of Mary Kahlow to The Cornell Lab of Ornithology, 159 Sapsucker Woods Road, Ithaca, NY 14850.