Mary Lou Dumler, 85, of Chandler, AZ passed away on April 2nd, 2025, peacefully in the care of Infinity Hospice Care. Mary Lou was born April 17th, 1939, in Great Bend, KS to Albert and Lydia Ebel. She grew up in Russell Kansas, attending a one room schoolhouse through the 8th grade, and graduated from Russell High School in 1957. Mary Lou then attended Kansas State University studying home economics.

Mary Lou married Roger Dumler, her high school sweetheart, on August 31st, 1959. Mary Lou and Roger moved to northwest Kansas in 1961 where Roger began his farming career. Mary Lou was a homemaker and spent many years supporting the farm and enjoyed taking fried chicken meals out to the field. Mary Lou and Roger welcomed two children to their home, Rhonda in 1960 and Rory in 1963. They spent a few years living on the farm outside of Colby, KS before Mary Lou designed and built a home in town where they moved in 1968. She took great pride in raising Rhonda and Rory, and a few favorite memories of Mary Lou’s were when she chaperoned a school band trip with Rhonda’s class to Washington, DC to march in the presidential inaugural parade for Jimmy Carter. Mary Lou was devoted to attending Rory’s sporting events, traveling near and far, never missing a moment to cheer him on.

Mary Lou opened her own retail clothing boutique in downtown Colby, KS in 1979 using her talent for fashion. Roger and Mary Lou divorced in 1982, after which Mary Lou moved to Denver Colorado to continue her career in retail. She also later lived for a brief time in Dallas, TX before moving to Scottsdale, AZ in 1989. In Scottsdale she advanced her career to open the Neiman Marcus counter for Estee Lauder as the head makeup artist where she spent many years connecting with customers. She later joined Saks Fifth Avenue to continue as a makeup artist, where her talent and dedication earned her the distinction of being the top salesperson west of the Mississippi. Her passion for sales led her to pursue a real estate license in 1999, at the age of 60, when she began her career as a realtor.

Mary Lou was a proud mother and grandmother. She enjoyed working hard and playing harder. She enjoyed travelling and spending time creating memories with those she loved most. This includes children, Rhonda and Rory and her granddaughter, Alyse, and grandson Dylan. She and Rhonda spent a lot of time together, and have great memories including traveling throughout the U.S. with a few of her favorite trips being to Jackson Hole, WY, Victoria Canada, and her 65th birthday celebration in Hawaii. Mary Lou fondly remembers travelling to Colorado Springs to celebrate Rory’s 40th birthday and time with her grandchildren. She took great pride in creating fantastic experiences and trips for her grandchildren, Alyse and Dylan. She intended to create lasting memories, and that she did! They travelled frequently for visits to Phoenix, where she planned lots of fun and shopping. Mary Lou planned many surprises and trips including visiting Disneyland and SeaWorld, a Taylor Swift concert, Phoenix Suns and Arizona Diamondback games, among much more.

Mary Lou was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2022. She then bravely embarked on her hard-fought journey of treatment where she eventually won and was cancer free in 2025. A few months later, she fell ill with an infection that, despite her strength and resilience, ultimately led to her passing.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Albert and Lydia Ebel; her sisters Elizabeth Ebel and Patricia Ayres (Mighell); Roger Dumler(d.).

She is survived by her children, Rhonda Dumler and Rory (Sandra) Dumler; grandchildren Alyse (Dylan) Moss and Dylan Dumler; great grandchildren Stella and Sutton Moss. Her family will forever cherish the love, laughter, and lasting impact she leaves behind.

Mary Lou’s family will hold a celebration of life on October 4th, 2025 from 2:00 to 4:00 pm at 265 E Ash Colby, KS 67701. 

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