Obituary

Mary Lou Henss, beloved Mother, Grandmother, Daughter, Sister, Aunt and Friend passed away at the age of 86, on February 26, 2023, at her residence in Des Moines.

Mary Lou was born on December 5, 1936, in Des Moines, IA, to Everett and Bertha (Fleek) Tyson. The family created their home in Stuart, IA. She attended Stuart Public School, graduating in 1955. Her love for dance started in Stuart at a very young age and became a theme for her very colorful life.

Mary Lou was married to Harold Langlinais in 1962. Together, they had two sons, Curtis and Kevin. The family resided in Des Moines and attended St. Anthony’s Catholic Church. Mary Lou worked for US West Communications for 37 years, retiring on January 4, 1995, as an Investment Specialist. After retirement, she tackled the fry station at McDonald’s and took great pride in keeping up with the youngsters she worked with. When she retired again, she was presented with an award by the owners and her co-workers for the 16 years she spent working with them.

Mary Lou enjoyed clogging and square dancing. She danced with the Merry Mixers and several other dance clubs. It was dancing that brought her and Kenneth Henss together. They were married in 1995 and she was lovingly enfolded into Ken’s family, becoming “Mama Lou” to his children Lynne Miller (Bob) of Osage Beach, MO, Jacki Bogolia (Michael) of Elmhurst, IL and Tom (Mary) Henss of Urbandale, IA. Ken and Mary Lou made their home in West Des Moines, where Mary Lou became a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Together they traveled and square danced their way all over Iowa, to Arizona, and as far away as Hawaii. Mary Lou enjoyed crocheting, practical jokes, potato chips, sweet tea and lime green Jello.

Mary Lou is survived by her sons, Curtis Langlinais of West Des Moines, and Kevin (Michelle) Langlinais of Des Moines, and her grandson, Nathaniel, her niece, Trisha Tyson of Hartford, WI and her nephew, Ty (Sharon) Tyson of Spirit Lake, IA. She was preceded in death by her parents, Everett and Bertha Tyson, her husband, Kenneth Henss, and her brother and sister-in-law, Dick and Noel Tyson.

Mary Lou’s family will receive friends for visitation from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, March 21, 2023. Services will follow the next day on March 22, at 2 p.m. Both events will take place at Iles Westover Chapel located at 6337 Hickman Rd, Des Moines. Interment will be at South Oak Grove Cemetery in Stuart, Iowa on a later date. Online condolences will be welcomed at IlesCares.com.

ARRANGEMENTS BY ILES WESTOVER CHAPEL

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