Mary James

Mary Ann (Vontz) James, 73, of Colby, died July 5, 2019 at Citizens Medical Center in Colby, Kansas surrounded by her loved ones. She was born July 17, 1945, in McCook, Nebraska, the oldest child of Leonard John and Esther (Brown) Vontz.

Mary grew up on the family farm south of McCook, and attended grade school at District 8, graduating from McCook High School in 1963. On April 15,1964 she married Gurnie (Sonny) Eugene James, in McCook. To this union two daughters, Michelle Dawn and Lisa Marie and a son Rhett Walker were born. The family had lived in several places in Nebraska until 1975 when they moved to Colby and made Colby their permanent home. Mary & Sonny divorced in 2002.

Mary started working downtown at Svend's Bakery, then went to work in the deli, at Larry’s IGA, she was nicknamed the “salad lady” making many salads over the years. Once the deli closed, she then went on to own her own business, Carroll Lee Donuts, for 14 years with co-owner Susie (Harper) Williams until they retired in 2001, when the building was torn down to allow for the expansion of the car wash. Mary really enjoyed the backdoor friendships of those who come to visit them in the early morning hours while they made the donuts. She really cherished those friendships and thought of you as her family. She still talked of you often as if it was just yesterday.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Leonard and Esther Vontz.

Survivors are daughters, Michelle (Dick) Snider and Lisa James, son Rhett (Julie) James, all of Colby; grandchildren, Cody (Caroline) Hatfield, Westminster, CO, Brena (Homero) Vargas, Selden, KS, Trenton (Melissa) Jones, Goodland, KS, Brock & Gage James, Colby, KS; step great grandchildren, Siena & Estella Vargas; great grandchildren, Makynslee & Emery Vargas and Joseph Hatfield; sisters, Judy (Mike) Ross, of Bartley, NE and Janet (Bob) Brenning, of McCook, NE; brothers, Tom (Mary) Vontz, and Terry Vontz, both of McCook, NE and many nieces and nephews.

Memorial Service is Thursday, July 11, 2019 at 2pm at the Gathering Place, 745 S Country Club Dr, Colby, KS 67701, with burial in Beulah Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to Genesis Food Bank in Colby, KS or the Citizen's Health Foundation and can be sent in care of Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 391, Colby, KS 67701. For Information or condolences visit www.baalmannmortuary.com