Mary Ellen Kohl Foland passed away quietly on April 4, 2024. She was born the daughter of Charles Leroy Kohl and Rose Raso Kohl on March 16, 1942, in Saint Louis, Missouri. She attended schools in the German area of south Saint Louis. She graduated from Grover Cleveland High School in 1960 and enrolled at the University of Missouri at Columbia in September of 1960.

In March of 1961, she had a blind date. Novy Foland, from rural Trenton, Missouri, was as different from the big city girl as could be, as well as 280 miles from Saint Louis.

But they were a match made in heaven, and they never parted after that date. Their marriage lasted nearly 63 years before her passing. They have three children, seven grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren.

A woman of many talents, she was all of the following: bank typist, sales clerk, tap dancer, ballerina, ballroom dancer, jazz dancer, dance instructor, singer, silicone chip maker, Quality Control Technician, home seamstress, production sewing machine operator, dog trainer, rabbit breeder, cow and goat milker, farm wife and gardener, the best home cook ever, top-flight banquet cook and server, and restaurant cook and manager, deaconess, and Sunday school teacher. And through it all the best momma possible.

And all of that by the age of 50. When she was 50, she was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. As the disease progressed, she slowly lost her abilities. She participated in several research projects at Washington University at the St. Louis School of Medicine. Her temperament and humor made her a favorite patient of medical people in four different states. She never complained about her disease and kept everyone upbeat around her.

In addition to her devoted husband, she is survived by her children, Marcia Eliss Foland Lyon (Greg) of Armstrong, Missouri; Michele Elene (known as Micki) Foland of Kirksville, Missouri; and Novy Eric Foland (Mickie) of Fayette, Missouri.

Grandchildren: Shauna Lyon, Jenna Cassatt, Travis Lyon, Adriana Kronick. Garret Lyon, Novy Eric Foland II, and Nicholas Foland. Great-grandchildren: Zack Olson, Zane Rice, Carter Haynes, Dylanne Kelso, Brady Lyon, Kaden Lyon, Harlee Cassett, Rylea Cassatt, Presleigh Cassatt, Kiley Cassatt, Emery Foland, and Lydia Foland. Great-great-grandchildren: Danielle Olson, and Zander Olson.

She was pre-deceased by her parents and brother, Maj. Charles Leroy Kohl Jr., US Army Retired, and granddaughter Shar Marie Foland.

Funeral services will be held on Sunday, April 14, at First Christian Church, 1700 Princeton Rd., Trenton, MO. Visitation will be from 1 to 2 p.m. at the church.

Donations should be made to Parkinson’s Disease Research at Washington University School of Medicine, Movement Disorder Division at Washington University in Saint Louis, Missouri, or the American Parkinson’s Disease Association in Saint Louis.