Mary Lou Cerini Strobel, 71

Mary Lou Cerini Strobel, 71, of Silverton, Idaho, beloved wife, mother and grandmother, passed away peacefully at her Silverton home April 12, 2025. Mary Lou was born Sept. 10, 1953, in Petaluma, Calif., a daughter of Vernon and Angelina (Cerini) Katen.

Mary Lou graduated from high school in Petaluma, Calif., and met her future husband, Walter Strobel, a Silver Valley native whose family was stationed there at the military base. The two were married July 6, 1974, in Petaluma. Walter and Mary Lou had two daughters, Katie and Lindsy, and then returned to Walter’s hometown. 

While in California, Mary Lou and Walter owned and operated a restaurant for 15 years. When they moved to the Silver Valley, Mary Lou worked as the bakery and deli department manager at Yoke’s in Kellogg for many years, from which she retired. She greatly enjoyed this job. 

Always thrifty, Mary Lou enjoyed going to garage sales with her husband, Walter, to find good bargains. At home, she enjoyed baking delicious goodies for her family and friends. She also liked to travel often, visiting her family back in Petaluma, Calif., and locally enjoying trips out to Rose Lake. Mary Lou loved music, especially Patsy Cline, and dancing. But above all, her greatest joy was spending time with her family and her two precious grandchildren. 

Mary Lou is preceded in death by her father, Vernon Katen, and her brother, Stanley Katen. 

Survivors include her husband, Walter Strobel of Silverton, Idaho; two daughters, Lindsy Strobel of Osburn, Idaho, and Katie (Matt) Murray of Mullan, Idaho; two grandchildren, Ayden and Alivia Murray; her mother, Angelina Katen of Petaluma, Calif.; her brother, Daniel (Gina) Katen of Colo.; her sister, Verna Lee (Joe) Leyba of Petaluma, Calif.; her brother-in-law, Scott Ellingson of Kennewick, Wash.; her sister-in-law, Bernice Katen of Calif.; several nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews; and two very dear friends, Mary Ann Cooley and Kristen Nelson. 

A celebration of Mary Lou's life will be held Saturday, May 10, 2025, at 1 p.m., at the Wallace Elks Lodge, Wallace, Idaho, where a reception will follow. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to the Shoshone Cancer Resource Center.

Memories of Mary Lou and messages of condolence may be shared online with her family at www.shoshonefuneralservice.com. Shoshone Funeral Services, Kellogg, is assisting the Strobel family with arrangements.