Mary Ann Franz
1940 - 2019
Obituary
Our beloved Mary Ann Franz went to be
with her Lord on Monday (Aug. 26, 2019) at Kidron-Bethel Village in
North Newton, after a long battle with Alzheimer's disease. She was
blessed with a wonderful full life for which we are grateful.
Mary Ann was born on Aug. 5, 1940, in
Newton. At that time, her father, Ted E. Claassen, was working with
MCC in London to save children from WWII bombings, while her mother,
Helen Claassen, was raising three other children at home in Newton.
On Aug. 5, Helen's doctor picked her up and took her to Bethel
Deaconess Hospital for Mary's birth. What a day that was!
Mary Ann attended school at McKinley
Elementary and Newton High School, graduating in the class of 1958.
She then attended Bethel College in North Newton for one year before
transferring to Wheaton College in Illinois. Determining that she
would major in deaf education, she finished her degree at the
University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana, graduating in 1963. The
day after graduation, she married the love of her life, Gary Dean
Franz, and they settled on his family farm near Turpin, Oklahoma.
Mary spent her early years of marriage
teaching many deaf children in Liberal and learning to become a farm
wife. The Et Cetera Shop, an MCC thrift shop in Liberal, which she
was instrumental in starting, was a great joy to Mary. She also was
very active in the Turpin (OK) Mennonite Church and later Whitestone
Mennonite Church of Hesston, mentoring many children and young
adults. Her faith in God and her love of Jesus touched every aspect
of Mary's life and those around her.
She was a wonderful and caring mother
to two daughters and four grandchildren, and a loving wife. She and
Gary were able to go on many travel adventures together, including a
mission trip to Africa, and in later years many wonderful trips
together with their daughters' families. Gary and Mary were happy to
celebrate their 56th year of marriage this past June. Mary was also
blessed by numerous friendships throughout her lifetime.
Mary Ann was preceded in death by her
parents and by an older sister, Naomi McElroy.
Surviving in addition to her husband,
Gary, are their two daughters, Amy (and Matt) Schmidt of Newton and
Audrey (and Brent) Blacklock of Kansas City, Missouri. Grandchildren
include Abby Schmidt, Luke Schmidt, Grace Blacklock and Hannah
Blacklock. Mary is also survived by her two older brothers, David
(and Delores) Claassen of Denver and Charles Claassen of Liberty,
Missouri, in addition to many wonderful nieces, nephews and cousins.
Visitation will be held at Broadway
Colonial Funeral Home from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday (Aug. 30, 2019), with
family present from 4 to 6 p.m. A service of celebration of Mary
Ann's life will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday (Aug. 31, 2019) at
Whitestone Mennonite Church in Hesston. Private family internment
will be at Greenwood Cemetery in Newton.
Those who wish to remember Mary Ann in
a special way may give gifts to MCC (Mennonite Central Committee).
MCC is a worldwide ministry to share God's love and compassion by
responding to basic human needs and working for peace and justice.
Contributions may be sent to Broadway Colonial Funeral Home, 120 E.
Broadway, Newton KS 67114.
Arrangements are by Broadway Colonial
Funeral Home, Newton.
