Mary Lou Raih

Mary Lou Raih, 90, of DeKalb, IL. passed away peacefully with her family by her side on January 26, 2023.  She was born on January 13, 1933, to Thomas and Luella (Dugan) O'Donnell in DeKalb, IL.  Mary Lou graduated from DeKalb Township High School in 1951.

Mary Lou married William (Bill) Raih on Sept. 6, 1952, her high school sweetheart, at St. Mary Catholic Church in DeKalb.  Mary Lou worked at the DeKalb School District and Northern Illinois University for a total of 37 years.  A few of her favorite hobbies were her love of  gardening and taking care of all the birds in her yard,  She also enjoyed taking her father-in-law to Bingo every Monday night at St. Mary School so much that she continued going for over 40 plus years.  She was an avid sports fan and rarely missed watching the Chicago Bears and the Chicago Cubs, especially the year the Cubs won the World Series.   She was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church and the Catholic Daughters of America.    Mary Lou's greatest joy in life was her family.  She raised seven children, welcomed in new daughter and son in-laws, and dearly loved her nine grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren!

Survivors include her four children Susan (John)  Malley of Woodstock,  IL., Dan (Patty) Raih, Brenda (Tom) Schmitt and Kelly Raih all of DeKalb, IL.,  daughter-in-law Patty Raih of DeKalb, IL.;  nine grandchildren, Tom (Tara) Steffa of Gilberts, AZ., Trent (Becky) Steffa of Littleton, CO., Matt( Gwen) Raih of Loveland, OH., Andy (Hilary) Raih of DeKalb, IL., Dustin (Libby) Raih of DeKalb, IL., Melissa (Brian) Jimenez of Woodstock, IL., Meghan Malley of Sycamore, IL., Cody and Amanda Schmitt of DeKalb, IL.; eleven great grandchildren, Madison, Tanner, Wendy, Teagan, Lily, Maddie, Blake, Warrick, Paityn, Adalynn and Everly; sisters, Charlene O'Donnell of DeKalb, IL.,  Joan Donnelly of Nashville, TN., brothers, Edward O'Donnell of DeKalb, IL., Cletus (Dona) of Madison, WI. and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband William and her sons Kevin, Brad and Jayme Raih.  Our family is comforted in knowing that she has reunited with her husband and sons and what a celebration they must be having!

The funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, February 2, 2023, at St. Mary Catholic Church in DeKalb with Father Dean Russell officiating.  Visitation will be held from 9:30-10:30 a.m. on February 2, 2023, at the Church prior to the Mass.  Burial will be at St. Mary Catholic Cemetery in DeKalb.

In lieu of flowers memorials can be to the family for a fund to be established at a later date.  Our family would like to thank Dr. Ahmad, and all the staff at Northwestern Hospital and ProMedica Hospice for the excellent care they provided to our Mother during this time.

Arrangements were entrusted to Finch Funeral Home, 310 Oak Street, DeKalb, IL 60115.