Mary Lou Duckett

Mary Lou Duckett (formerly Riehm, nee Armstrong) died peacefully at age 94 on August 10, 2026.

Mary was born to Minnie and John Armstrong in June of 1932 in Gordon, Wisconsin. Mary was a country girl at heart, and despite wide domestic travel over the years, returned to spend most of her life in the area where she was born and raised.

Mary is preceded in death by her first husband, Kenneth M. Riehm, and second husband Dewitt Duckett.

She is survived by three of her four children from her first marriage: Bonnie Salzman (Darrell), Diane Forest (Beth), and Barb Albers (Dave), as well as step daughter Maureen.

Mary’s beloved son Mike Riehm (Norma) recently preceded her in death, as did her sister and best friend Virginia Hahn, and her brother Jack.

A tireless worker until her later years, Mary sewed, knit, crocheted and baked her way through life while raising children, working part time jobs, and managing the bounty of huge gardens. Her marriage to Dewitt offered the opportunity for more leisure and travel throughout the U.S., which Mary enjoyed immensely. Eventually the couple bought and lived on the farm next to Mary’s mother in Solon Springs, WI. There, Mary spent many happy years involved with her Presbyterian church family, voraciously reading fiction, berry picking and cross country skiing with friends, fishing with her sister Virginia (Ginger), spending time with her many grandchildren, and cheering on the Packers. Old age and infirmity brought her to the Oaks in Menomonie WI, where Mary was visited daily by family members and was again embraced by a community of friends.

Mary was the lucky recipient of the love of many grandchildren and great grandchildren, nieces and nephews, as well as many kind and generous friends throughout the years. Her life was well lived, and we’ll miss her gentle (but fiesty) presence. She will be cremated at Olson Funeral Home in Menomonie. No public services will be held. Please read a book or cast a fishing line in her honor.

To share a memory, please visit obituaries at www.olsonfuneral.com