Mary Clemans

Mary Elizabeth Clemans, 92, of Colony, Kansas, went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, January 8, 2015. Mary was born December 19, 1922, at Roseland, Kansas, the daughter of William Henry and Nannie Lee (Mishler) Best. She graduated from McCune High School in 1940 and attended Pittsburg Teachers College in Pittsburg, Kansas. On May 17, 1942, Mary married Earl R. Clemans, Jr. at the home of her parents south of McCune. They moved to Colony in August of that year where they lived for 66 years. Mr. Clemans preceded her in death Jan. 7, 2009. Mary received her Associate Degree from Allen County Community College and B.S. degree in education from Emporia State University. Mary loved to teach school. She taught in several one room schools in the mid to late 1950's and later taught at Lone Elm, Kansas, LeRoy, Kansas and taught many years at Burlington Elementary school retiring in 1984. She lived her retirement life to the fullest, enjoying many hours of fishing, bike riding, riding four wheelers & Earl's Bronco scooter with Earl, her children and grandchildren. She lived everyday to the fullest and especially enjoyed antiquing with Earl and Bonnie. She also loved to play and coach softball and cheering for Earl's basketball teams. She collected hundreds of hats. She was known as "The Hat Lady" and would present programs on them. Mary was a member of the Colony Community Church since it was organized in 1957, and she taught Bible School. She has also served as librarian at the Colony City Library for a number of years. SURVIVORS: 3 Sons: Dwight Clemans & wife, Edie of Marshall, TX, Marvin Clemans & wife, Wanda of Derby, KS and Arvin Clemans & wife, Kathy of Iola, KS 1 Daughter: Bonnie Sjogren & husband, Charles of Concordia, KS 1 Brother-In-Law: Julius Clemans & his wife, Janice of Jacksonville, FL 17 Grandchildren, 37 Great Grandchildren, 15 Great Great Grandchildren and 7 Great Great Great Grandchildren She was preceded in death by her husband, Earl R. Clemans, Jr., two brothers, John Best and Miles Richard Best, and two sisters, Dorothy Sartin and Anna Irene Hornbeck. VISITATION: 3:00-5:00 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 11, 2015, at Waugh-Yokum & Friskel Chapel in Iola. FUNERAL SERVICE: 11:00 a.m., Monday, Jan. 12, 2015, at Colony Community Church in Colony, KS BURIAL: Colony Cemetery MEMORIAL CHOICES: Colony Community Church or The Gideons International Memorial gifts may be left with the Waugh-Yokum & Friskel Memorial Chapel of Iola, which is in charge of arrangements. To sign the guestbook online or leave a condolence, go to www.iolafuneral.com .