Mary Louise "Mary Lou" Classen

Mary Louise Classen, age 88, of Humboldt, Kansas, passed away on Wednesday, July 4, 2018 at her home. Mary was born on October 26, 1929 in Stafford, Kansas. Mary Lou was the second of four children born to Clarence and Leona (Hall) Hanger. She graduated from Stafford High School and then attended the University of Kansas for one year. Mary Lou worked as secretary and as a telephone operator in Hutchinson. She married Ernest Classen on May 26, 1959 in Stafford. In 1964, they purchased a farm near Neosho Falls, Kansas. They made their home on the farm until moving to Humboldt in March of 2018 to be near their son. Mary Lou was an avid reader, making countless visits to the Iola Public Library. She also enjoyed painting, drawing, and doing needlework. Mary was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Clinton and James; and sister, Patricia Gilbert. She is survived by her husband, Ernest, of the home; daughter, Cathy Smiley and husband, John of Sunrise Beach, Missouri; son, Andrew Classen and wife, Sonja of Humboldt, Kansas; four grandchildren, Andrew Smiley, Victoria and Colin Blount, Kylee and Shawn Geffert and Chad Classen; and great-grandson, Wade Geffert. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM, Monday, July 9, 2018, at Feuerborn Family Funeral Service, Iola. Burial will follow at 3:30 PM, Monday in the Stafford Cemetery, Stafford, Kansas. The family will greet friends following the service at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the Iola Public Library or to Kindred Hospice and may be left with the funeral home. Condolences may be left at www.feuerbornfuneral.com .