Mary Messenger

Mary Iona Marie Messenger, age 75, of Garnett, Kansas, passed away on Tuesday, July 15, 2014, at the Colmery-O'Neil VA Medical Center, Topeka. Mary was born on September 4, 1938, at Americus, Kansas, the daughter of Henry and Opal (Wolfe) Stuck. Mary grew up in Emporia, graduating from Emporia High School in 1957. Following high school Mary worked at Newman Hospital, while taking Registered Nurse's training at Emporia State. After graduating from Emporia State she worked as an R.N. Instructor for the college. In the early 1970's Mary moved to Topeka where she worked at the VA Hospital as an R.N.; while working there she joined the Army Reserve program. She was Head Nurse in the Operating Room, and was an Instructor for Operating Room procedures. Mary was on military duty when she was involved in a car accident. At the rank of Captain, she retired on medical discharge. Mary went back to school after the wreck and worked for the State of Kansas as a Rehabilitation Counselor in Topeka, Osawatomie and Oskaloosa until she retired in 1996. Mary married Cecil Wayne Staley, two children were born to this union, and they later divorced. Mary met Robert Messenger at a dance in Lawrence, Kansas and on December 25, 1991, they were married in Ozawkie, Kansas. They made their home in Ozawkie until moving to Robert's hometown of Garnett, Kansas in 2006. Mary enjoyed puzzles, gardening and flowers, bird watching, and dancing. She was preceded in death by her parents. Mary is survived by her husband, Robert Messenger, of the home; daughter Patricia Hennesy and husband Steven "Charlie" of Manhattan, Kansas; son Mike Staley of Salem, Oregon; Robert's daughter, Debbie Perez and husband Mario of Gardner, Kansas; Robert's son, Terry Messenger and wife Vicki of Ottawa; grandchildren, Rebekah Hennesy, Wade Patterson and wife, Brooke, Luke Patterson, Lexie Gragg and husband, Adrian, all of Topeka; Logan Messenger and Carter Messenger of Ottawa; Mario Perez Jr. and Antonio Perez of Gardner; four great grandchildren, Raina Patterson, Maddison Patterson, Chance Gragg and Caden Gragg; three sisters, Joyce Deskines and Joan Bailey, both of Emporia; Debbie Marlow of Kettering, Ohio; and one brother, George Stuck and wife Treva of Emporia. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, July 18, 2014, at the Feuerborn Family Funeral Service Chapel in Garnett, Kansas. Burial will follow in the Garnett Cemetery in Garnett, Kansas. Friends may pay their respects on Thursday evening until 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Condolences may be left at www.feuerbornfuneral.com