Mary Lou (Paul) Guth

Link to VIDEO RECORDING OF SERVICE: https://fb.watch/wFaLJkY5kO

Mary Lou Guth died October 25, 2024, at the age of 90 in Algoma, Wisconsin, a place where she lived for 66 years. 

A native of Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, she married Gerald (Jerry) Guth in 1955 and had 6 children with him. It is impossible to think of Mary Lou without her husband. Together, they were a strong couple who supported several generations of families through their work in school and community events. Mary Lou volunteered for countless projects that promoted Algoma and its fishing tourism, was a Girl Scout leader, and worked at the local used bookstore that raised money for charity. 

The couple helped establish and nurture the ski club in Algoma, creating the first generation of skiers in Algoma. They were also huge sports fans, attending local school basketball, football and baseball games for over 60 years, and loved their Green Bay Packers. Mary Lou was a member of the YMCA in Sturgeon Bay, and St Mary’s church and the Rosary Society in Algoma. She worked at von Stiehl Winery, and the Label Company, where she was a member of the close-knit staff in the early years of this company that became an important source of employment for many people. 

Mary Lou and Jerry loved to travel and meet people. They camped across the state of Wisconsin, in the tropics of Florida over Christmas vacation, and even took an RV to Colorado for a ski vacation. In the summer of 1968, they drove their family west across the U.S. to California in a Ford sedan pulling a popup tent – five children and Mary Lou pregnant with the sixth. Her strength and resiliency were proven during drives across the desert without air conditioning and hot, bickering children. 

They discovered the joys of Pacific Island living in the Cook Islands between New Zealand and Hawaii, and flew to Germany, England, Switzerland and France to see their children and grandchildren. Every spring, they drove to Sebastian, Florida for a 3-week stay, and explored new areas on the journey there and back, including meeting Jimmy and Roslyn Carter and going to church with them. They established strong bonds and a new community of friends in Sebastian. 

Mary Lou is survived by her husband, Gerald (Jerry) Guth, and five children: Jamie Guth and her partner Franco Pagnoni of Barcelona, Spain; Jody Guth and her partner David (Duffy) Epstein of Portland, Oregon; Peggy (Mags) Guth and her husband Dirk Wellbrock of Portland, Oregon; Steve Guth and his wife Leslie Guth of Killington, Vermont; and Andy Guth and his wife Karen Guth of New Franken, Wisconsin. She is also survived by eight grandchildren: Eric Guth, Jared Koskela, Galen and Brendan Bilgen, Sarah and Tyler Guth, and Jake and Alex Guth. She is predeceased by her son, Peter Guth, and brothers Raymond and Ralph Paul.

Please come and share your stories of Mary Lou Guth at the celebration of her life. Visitation will be at the Schinderle Funeral Home in Algoma on Thursday, October 31, 2024 after 11AM until the time of service at 2:30PM. A get-together will follow at the Algoma Boat Club at 5PM to celebrate her life.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Algoma Chamber of Commerce, an organization Mary Lou supported over the years. 

Express your sympathy, memories and pictures on Mary Lou’s tribute page to share with her family at www.SchinderleFuneralHome.com.

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