Mary Louise Parker, 81, passed away peacefully at her home in Lindsborg, KS, on July 20, 2024. Mary was born on April 30, 1943, to Emmons and Ruby Kneemueller in St Charles, MO. The middle child, Mary enjoyed growing up with her older brother Robert and her younger sister Debbie. Her childhood years were spent at the family’s home in St Ann, MO, and on the Kneemueller family farm in New Melle, MO.
Mary graduated from Pattonville High School in St Ann, MO, in 1961 and graduated from Drury College in Springfield, MO, in 1965. She received an elementary education degree from Drury, as well as receiving department distinctions in education and in Spanish. This is also where, in a Spanish class, she met Jim Parker, who was to become her husband of 58 years.
Following graduation, Mary accepted her first teaching position in the Ferguson-Florissant School District where she taught 4th grade for three years. Mary also taught in the Columbia, MO school district for two years before she and Jim moved to the small Kansas community of Lindsborg, which was to become their home for the remainder of her life. Mary worked at Bethany College part-time as the learning lab coordinator for several years while she raised her three daughters, returning to an elementary school teaching position in 1981. Mary taught reading part time for several years before moving to a classroom teaching position in 1989. Mary was a 1st grade classroom teacher at Soderstrom Elementary for 14 years. Although Mary officially retired in 2003, her retirement was short-lived. She truly loved and missed teaching, and she quickly returned to work, spending 10 years as a part-time reading teacher at Marquette Elementary School. When this school closed, Mary returned to Soderstrom and continued as a part-time reading teacher until receiving a cancer diagnosis in 2016. The lives of so many students were enriched by their experiences with Mrs. Mary Parker as their teacher, and Mary’s passion for learning and reading is carried on through her three daughters, all of whom work in public service to readers and learners.
In addition to her devotion to generations of learners, the other light of Mary’s life was her family. She is survived by her loving husband Jim; her three daughters, Erin Saylor, Kendra Parker, and Holly Myers; her three sons-in-law, Gerard Saylor, Dan Ball, and Justin Myers, all of whom she adored; and her most cherished family members of all, her four grandchildren: Quentin Saylor, Ian Saylor, Jolie Myers and Logan Myers. Mary was so proud of the families her daughters built and was blessed to spend time with all of them in the week before her passing. In addition to her husband, children, and grandchildren, Mary also leaves behind her German “son” Martin, her sister Debbie, and many other family and friends whom she loved dearly.
When not in the classroom or spending time with her family, Mary loved to read, do her daily crossword puzzles, have morning coffee downtown with friends, cheer on the KU Jayhawks, travel, perform community service by helping at her church and serving on the local library board, and spend time cooking for and entertaining the many friends who became family in Lindsborg. Mary’s generosity and joy for life were seen nowhere more clearly than in the gatherings she hosted. Holidays, basketball games, weekends–really any day was a good day to gather at the Parker family home for food and fellowship. So many were welcome at the Parker table over the years, and so many will miss gathering there with Mary.
A memorial service to celebrate Mary's life will be held at Bethany Lutheran Church in Lindsborg, KS, on Saturday, July 27th at 11:00 AM with lunch to follow.
Mary has requested memorials in her honor be donated to Bethany Lutheran Church or the Lindsborg Community Library. Memorials may be sent in care of Crick-Christians Funeral Home, 103 N. Washington, Lindsborg. KS 67456.
To leave condolences online or for more information, please visit www.crick-christiansfuneralhome.com.