Mary Lou Konczos

Mary Lou Konczos "Birdie", 76, of Pocatello, died Friday, May 4, 2012, at her home. She died following a brave battle with lung cancer. She was born October 8, 1935 in Twin Falls, ID, to Robert Kenneth Rayl and Pearl Mozella Rayl. Mary Lou was the second of three children. She attended and graduated from Twin Falls High School. She then moved to Pocatello where she graduated from Idaho State University in 1960 with a Bachelor's of Arts in Elementary Education. She worked for American Falls School District from 1960 to 1998. She married Raymond Joseph Konczos on August 8, 1964, in Twin Falls at the First Methodist Church. On August 18, 1967, their only child was born, Stacy Lynn. Mary Lou and Raymond were later divorced. Mary Lou fulfilled her life-long dream of becoming a teacher. She taught first grade for 38 years as well as summer school in the migrant program. In 1983 she was chosen as the American Falls Teacher of the Year by her peers. She was quoted as saying "that she loved the opportunity to watch the kids she taught grow up in the community." At the time she had been a teacher to more than 600 children. Mary Lou was a founding member of the teacher's honor society Delta Kappa Gamma and served as president of the local chapter. She also served as the President of the American Falls Teacher's Association and was a cooperating teacher through Idaho State University. After retiring in 1998 she continued to substitute teach. On November 18, 2004 she received a Service to Education Award. Mary Lou enjoyed her home. She took great pride in her yard, especially working in her rose and flower gardens. On many a summer afternoon, you could find her sunning on her deck. She is survived by her daughter Stacy (Richard) Swan of Pocatello; brother Bill (Pepper) Rayl of Filer, ID; sister Bobbie (Jim) Crawford of Kimberly, ID; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, wonderful family and friends in which she loved dearly. She was preceded in death by her parents and her ex-husband. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, May 10, 2012, at Colonial Funeral Home, 2005 S. 4 th Ave. A visitation will be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, May 9, 2012, also at Colonial Funeral Home, as well as one hour prior to the funeral service. Burial will follow the services at the Mountain View Cemetery. Afterwards, all are invited to join family and friends for an open house at 2601 S. Fairway Dr., in a celebration of Mary Lou's life. In lieu of flowers please make donations to Stacy Swan's American Cancer Society, Relay for Life team. Click here to make a donation.