Mary Jo Strouse was born on November 26, 1949 to Larry Strouse and Alice (Kemble) Strouse in Davenport, Iowa. She was dedicated at First Baptist Church. She graduated from Davenport West High School in 1968. Mary Jo stayed close to home for a few years, attending Marycrest College. She graduated from the University of Iowa in 1972, tending bar to earn money for her nursing degree. Mary Jo worked at the Cook County Hospital emergency room in Chicago and Osteopathic Hospital in labor and delivery and emergency. She married Dale Holder June 3, 1979, and when her daughter Amanda was born, she made the decision to stay home and cleaned houses once Amanda was in school. She entered the retail world, working at a Big and Tall/formal wear shops. Mary Jo also was a compassionate pharmacy technician. She was happily married to Mark Plumadore on February 12, 2011 at All Saints Lutheran Church (where they attended) and then retired to enjoy one of her favorite hobbies, quilting. Shortly thereafter, they adopted their dog Chopper. Currently, Mark and Mary Jo are members of First Baptist Church in Davenport. Among her favorite activities was volunteering at the Riverbend food Pantry, as well as other various charitable activities.
Mary Jo left behind no strangers- to her, everyone was a friend. She always had a hug ready for anyone who needed it. Mourning her deeply are her husband, Mark Plumadore, her daughter and son-in-law, Amanda and Liam Smith, granddaughter Molly Smith, her sister and brother-in-law, Connie and John Denkmann, sisters-in-law Ruth Ann Downey and Theresa Kahle, and her brother-in-law, Glenn Kahle. Also mourning are eight nieces and nephews in Indiana and Ohio, and two nieces, three grandnieces, and four nephews in Iowa.
She is preceded in death by her parents and her older sister.
Mary Jo’s visitation will be Friday, April 30, 2021 from 4 – 7 PM. Her celebration of life services will be on Saturday May 1, 2021, with a viewing from 10:00 to 10:30 AM followed by her funeral service at 10:30 AM, all held at Weerts Funeral Home in Davenport, IA. Service will be live streamed at www.facebook.com/weertsfuneral. Memorials can be made to First Baptist Church and King’s Harvest Pet Rescue, both in Davenport, IA. Online condolences may be expressed t www.weertsfh.com
