Mary Louise Feuerborn

Mary Setter Feuerborn, 84, of Linwood, KS, joined her husband, Myron, in their personal animal kingdom in heaven on July 12th, 2020 in Lawrence, KS. Mary was born April 2nd, 1936, to Anthony and Evangaline Setter in Richmond, KS.

Mary is survived by her three beautiful daughters: Diane (Bill) Bell, Sandee (Danny) Feuerborn, and Kellee Feuerborn Bolton; grandchildren: Katie (Wade) Allen, Joe (Kerry) Bell, Jack (Daryl) Bell, Sam Bolton, and Hannah Bolton; and great-granddaughters: Emma Allen, Hannah Allen, Ellie Allen, and Berkley Bell. Mary joins Myron and four siblings: Joseph, Jane, Betty, and Margie and her parents, Anthony and Evangaline, in heaven.

Mary was a beautiful and vivacious soul. She exuded confidence with a heavy dose of “I do what I want!” Her energy was infectious, and it is no surprise that Mary caught Myron’s eye on the infamous Scipio Elementary School merry-go-round in the late 40s. Their love story began at age 14, and the two wed following their high school years.

Mary was a natural-born caretaker. She became a mother at the age of 18 and balanced work and family effortlessly. Perhaps it was because she was the second oldest of five siblings, but more than likely, it was her inherent love for all things living. She gave herself wholly to her family, friends, and her menagerie of household pets. In almost every photo of Mary, she can be found holding, nurturing, and comforting a baby or a critter. She had an abundance of love to give and did so unsparingly.

Throughout her life, Mary started and ran several businesses. She was an entrepreneur in every sense of the word. When she was in her early 20s, Mary opened a local daycare business. Everyone in town, including a local pediatrician, referred their friends to Mary. She didn’t just supervise, she played – really played – with her kids, grandkids, and any child that passed within 15 feet of her. She was never too proud to play dead and scare the living shit out of a child.

Mary didn’t grow up with much and had big plans to make a living on her own terms. While she worked occasional 9-5 jobs, she flourished when she was able to build something from the ground up. She managed apartment buildings, farms, and a successful dog business. She worked from sun up to sun down, pouring her heart into all that she did. She passed on her incredible work ethic, determination, and wisdom to her family. She stood firmly behind the belief that you should “have a little fun” while you’re at it.

Mary particularly thrived in her role as a grandmother. She adored her grandkids and spoiled them rotten. One of her favorite activities was to pile all of them into the backseat of her Blue Mercury (“Don’t stand too close to the tailpipe, she might backfire!”) and take them to Dairy Queen. She wasn’t particularly gifted in driver’s etiquette and never required seat belts. The Blue Mercury was their own personal rollercoaster - arms, legs, and hair in disarray when Mary would hit a left turn. She replicated this Mad Max mentality while completing yardwork on her golf cart and mower, too. She found a particularly twisted joy in terrorizing her grandkids with Halloween masks and as a loudmouthed Santa Claus. The good news is that the crying couldn’t be heard over Mary’s contagious laugh!

She was also the most generous when it came to her grandkids. She lived modestly so she could give them the world. A trip to Walmart with grandma always meant a new toy. She even felt so inspired by her grandson, Jack’s, international DJ aspirations that she funded his first turntable at age 12.

Mary was the life of every party she ever attended. She laughed, danced, and always dished out zingers that left many of her “victims” speechless. She was witty, sharp tongued, and a whole lot ornery. She would scoot her chair a little closer when the gossip started flowing. “If you are going to talk bad about someone, come over here!" she’d say. Her laugh had the ability to diffuse any situation, although situations were rarely serious around Mary. She was pure joy. Everyone that knew her loved her.

Her family loved her for all of her quirks. Every other drawer was a “secret” candy drawer. All of the other drawers were homes for the dozen or more electronic solitaire games - just in case the batteries died in the one she was using. She was proud of her porcelain doll collection, but always gravitated to the loudest, most animated singing dolls to show off to a crowd. She particularly loved to set them off in synchrony while watching her young grandchildren and house pets look to her in sheer panic. She adored Princess Diana and listening in on the local police scanner. She loved pickled beets and sauerkraut, and her family always looked forward to her special noodles on Thanksgiving.

Mary was everything and so much more. She packed her life full of love and laughter and so many pranks. Although Mary and Myron left this earth just three months apart, they built a truly beautiful life together here on earth. The family finds solace in them being reunited. Although Mary JUST joined him, we all know they’re already bickering about how many dogs can live with them in their home in the sky.

Run barefoot and free, our beloved matriarch. Or hit the gas hard on the golf cart. Whatever feels right!

--

A Mass of Christian Burial for Mary will be held at 1:00 PM, Thursday, July 16, 2020, at the St. Boniface Catholic Church (Scipio). Burial will follow in the St. Boniface Cemetery. The family will greet friends at the church from 11:00 AM until the service begins at 1:00 PM on Thursday. In lieu of flowers, Mary's family appreciates memorial contributions made to the Mary Louise Feuerborn Memorial Fund, and left in care of Feuerborn Family Service, PO BOX 408, Garnett Kansas 66032. Condolences to the family may be left at www.feuerbornfuneral.com .