Mary "Lou" LaVaun Palmer

Mary Lou was born in Jefferson Iowa on November 16, 1931 to Lyle and Louise Baker. She moved to West Des Moines Iowa at the age of 11. She has always lived within 1 mile of the Raccoon River! She graduated from Valley High School in 1950, where she and Donald Dean Palmer met during school. They were married on August 3, 1952. In November of 1957, they had their only child, Tammy Brose.

Mary Lou worked at the family’s Baker’s Diner in Jefferson before moving to West Des Moines. She worked for Dr. McNernie in Valley Junction at bookkeeping and when the nurse left the job, she ended up holding kids while being stitched up and even ended up giving shots!

She worked at Delavan Manufacturing in the ’50s and ’60s. She also helped at her family’s stable, Baker’s Riding Stable through the years. She went on to work for Greyhound Bus Lines, did some catering, and was an Avon Representative for many years.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents Lyle and Louise Baker, husband, Donald Palmer, in-laws Elba and Velma Palmer, and siblings, Ed Baker, Bill Baker and Reverend Donald Jan Baker and their Spouses.

Surviving Mary Lou are her daughter Tammy (Chuck) Brose of Prole; grandchildren, Brad (Sara) Brose of Waukee and Bendi (Jeremy) Selvage of West Des Moines; 5 great-grandchildren, 2 “bonus” granddaughters, and 3 “bonus” great-grandchildren and many other family and friends.

Memorials may be directed to West Des Moines Christian Church or WesleyLife Hospice.