Mary Lou (Schubert) Bradley

MaryLou V. Bradley, 87, of Dubuque, Iowa, passed away peacefully at home on August 27, 2024, surrounded by her loving family. She leaves behind a rich legacy of devotion, love, and service to her community.

Visitation will be held from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Monday, September 2, 2024, at Leonard Funeral Home & Crematory, 2595 Rockdale Road. A Funeral Service will begin at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, September 3, 2024, at the funeral home, with an additional visitation starting at 9:00 a.m. until the time of service. Burial will follow at Dubuque Memorial Gardens.

MaryLou was born on May 18, 1937, in Dubuque, Iowa, the daughter of John and Violet (Dohse) Schubert. She graduated from Dubuque Senior High School in 1955. On March 30, 1957, she married Richard M. Bradley at Immanuel Congregational Church in Dubuque. MaryLou dedicated 24 years to driving a school bus for the Dubuque Community School District and was a passionate homemaker. In her retirement, she enjoyed working at the Brownstone Art Gallery.

Known affectionately as “Grandma Lou,” MaryLou was a devoted matriarch whose passion for gardening transformed her yard into vibrant landscapes of flowers. She was a member of the Master Gardeners Club, Dubuque Senior Rams Booster Club, and a dedicated volunteer for the Dubuque County Fair’s Creative Arts division. In 2011, she was honored with induction into the Iowa Master Farm Homemaker’s Hall of Fame by Wallace Farmer.

MaryLou's commitment to her community was evident through her service at Rockdale United Methodist Church, where she served as treasurer and organized various events such as an annual cookie walk, soup supper and auction. Her baking talents, especially her cookies, cinnamon rolls, and candies, brought joy to many during the Christmas season. Additionally, she was known for her craftsmanship in ceramics, quilting, and sewing, often sharing her creations with loved ones.

MaryLou will be deeply missed by her husband, Richard M. Bradley; children Dennis (Tina) Bradley, Cheryl (Tim) Martens, and Joe (Julie) Bradley; daughter-in-law Margie (Zip Gassman) Bradley; twelve grandchildren Emily (Jim) Davis, Eric (Emily) Martens, Rachel (Ryan) Kieffer, Alex (Kate) Martens, Jarred (Hollie) Bradley, Bridget (Ted) Anders, Leah (Brad) Timmerman, Rebecca Bradley, Benjamin Bradley (Hallie Little), Luke Bradley, Stephen Bradley, and Larissa Bradley; and fourteen great-grandchildren, with two more on the way; and her siblings Shirley Bahl, Elda (Tom) Kuehn, and Sandy (Tim) Fiedler.

She was preceded in death by her son, Steve Bradley; her parents; her parents-in-laws, Melvin and Mary “Hazel” Bradley; siblings and in-laws John “Jack” Schubert, Allen (Patricia “Jean”) Schubert, David Bahl, Kenny Droullard, Merlin (Dorothy) Bradley, and cherished nephews Ronnie Bradley and Brian Bradley.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in MaryLou’s name to Key West EMS or an organization of your choice.

The family would like to extend their gratitude to Hospice of Dubuque and Key West Fire & EMS for their compassionate care.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.