Mary was one of seven children and spent her early childhood helping on the family farm.. She attended high school in Emporia, KS, and then attended Kansas State University, graduating in 1944. She met Merlin while in Manhattan and they married in 1943. Merlin served in the US Army, in Europe during WWII. Mary was a dietitian at Mt. Sinai Hospital in Philadelphia, PA.

In 1949 they moved to Lakin, KS, where Merlin became the Kearney County Extension Agent. Upon retirement, they moved to Manhattan, KS. Mary enjoyed many activities with her friends and neighbors in both Lakin and Manhattan. Her church was always important to her, first being a member of the Lakin United Methodist Church and later the Manhattan First United Methodist Church.

Both were avid KSU Wildcat fans and were season ticket holders to both KSU basketball and football games. Being a cancer survivor, Mary was active in the cancer support group in Manhattan. In 2013, she moved to Overland Park, and truly enjoyed being close to her family. She was known fondly as “Grandma Great” by her family. Surviving family includes: Joyce (Doug) Dugger, Valerie Line, and Gayle (Michael) Zuk. She had five grand and six great-grandchildren: Kelly (Angie) Taylor, Ashley and Owen, Lindsey (Cory) Wurtz and Carson, Tony (Callie) Line, Campbell and Gannon, Lara (Jared) Young and Hunter, and Nick Zuk.

There will be a private family burial in Manhattan, KS. The family suggests any memorial donations made to the Alzheimer’s Association at alz.org.