Mary Ellen Dondlinger (Witt) was raised on a farm outside Tahlequah, Oklahoma milking cows, reading books in the hay loft and playing marbles. A self-described tomboy on the farm, mom learned the value of hard work, appreciation for what little they had, and, most importantly, the importance of family and love of God. She was born on the farm to Burgess and Hazel Witt on September 23, 1935. She passed away peacefully on May 25, 2022, after several days with her husband, children and other family at her bedside.
The daughter of a teacher, mom had a life-long love of reading and learning. Her passion for education led her to Northeastern University and the teaching profession. After graduation, fearless and educated, she moved to Ketchikan, Alaska, before it was a state, where she taught school. Mom later moved to Hutchinson where she taught school at Winans and met Bill Ray Dondlinger at Trinity United Methodist Church. They were married on June 19, 1960 at Trinity. Mom and dad were happily married for just short of 62 years. They had three children, Tara Lynn Kauffman (Bryan), Amarillo, Texas, Tal Gene Dondlinger, Hutchinson, and Kip Alan Dondlinger (Allison), Overland Park, Kansas.
Once Kip was in High School, mom returned to teaching at Roosevelt elementary school in Hutchinson. There she was twice selected as USD 308 Teacher of the Year. Having raised three wonderful children and after several more years at Roosevelt, mom retired from teaching to take on the new role of grandmother to four grandchildren, Paul, Sarah, Mitchell, and Nancy, and later two great grandchildren, Owen and Reid. She loved to create and capture memories by writing books for the grandkids on her iMac computer. She also enjoyed writing poems and documenting family history. During her retirement, Mary enjoyed traveling extensively with Bill. She had many wonderful friends through her long membership in PEO, her weekly rounds of tennis and scrabble and her activities in the church.
Mary is survived by her husband, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, as well as her younger brother James Witt (Jetta), Pensacola, Florida. Mom’s older sister, Patsy Ely, passed away in 2016.
Mom was fiercely dedicated to her family and community. She successfully passed that, as well as her love of education and reading, to her children and grandchildren. She worked tirelessly to ensure the best possible life for Tal through her work with TECH and other organizations. She leaves a giant legacy in her family. We will miss her dearly but know she will live on in each of us.
Memorial service will be 11:00 a.m. Saturday, May 28, 2022, at Elliott Chapel, with the Reverend Dr. Kim Biery officiating. Inurnment will follow in Lone Star Cemetery, Pretty Prairie. Friends may sign her book from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Thursday and Friday at Elliott Mortuary. The family will greet friends from 10:00 a.m. Saturday until service time at the funeral home.
Click here to view Mary Dondlinger's Memorial Service
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to TECH, Inc., in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.