Mary Lou was born on July 2, 1941, in Stanley, ND the daughter of Francis and Alice (Sullivan) Goodall, who farmed and ranched in McKenzie County near Sanish, ND. At about 5 months Mary Lou was diagnosed with Equine Encephalitis. Equine Encephalitis is caused by a mosquito and in 1941 western ND had a large outbreak of the disease and many people and horses died. Others like Mary Lou suffered server brain damage which left her unable to speak.
At about the age of 5 she was placed in a state hospital in Grafton, ND where she remained for many years and then Mary Lou was moved to Williston in a group home. Mary Lou was very happy there and this made it easier for her parents to visit her.
One of Mary Lou’s favorite pastimes was listening to country music. Elvis Presley was her favorite artist and has all of his music.
Mary Lou passed on Thursday, August 15, 2019, at the Good Shepherd Home in Watford City, ND.
Surviving her are: her sisters, Ann Stout, Coeur d’ Alene, ID and Joanne Quale, New Town, ND; her brother, Steve Goodall, Dickinson, ND.
She was preceded in death by: her parents, her sister Jeanne Murray, and her brother Robert Goodall.