Mary Leitner

Mary Kathryn (Prideaux) Leitner died Saturday, March 13, 2021, at Wheat Haven Home in McDonald, Kansas, at the age of 90. She was born February 1, 1931, the youngest of Henry & Bertha (Threlkel) Prideaux, 17 miles south of Atwood on the Wayne Kuntz farm on the Middle Sappa Creek, site of the famous Cheyenne Indian Battle Ground of April 23, 1875.

Mary attended grade school & high school in Atwood, where in high school she met the love of her life, Eugene F. Leitner. Mary and Eugene (Gene) were married September 2, 1948 at Sacred Heart Church in Atwood by Father Camillus Schmidt. She took instructions & joined the church in December 1948. To this union 6 children were born, Marsha Kathryn, Michael Eugene, Pamela Jo, Eugene Michael, Mark Andrew & Bradley John.

After the kids were born, she returned to school receiving her GED from Colby Community College in 1969. She attended a few college classes the following years, but her family life was where she felt she belonged. Mary's working years consisted of work she could do from home: Stanley Home Products, hair wigs, cosmetics, ceramics & natural vitamins, just to name a few. While she never officially joined the work force her priority was being a homemaker, wife & mom. She was a member of Sacred Heart Church, instrumental in CMAS & was a CCD teacher to the Senior Classes for numerous years.

Mary designed many beautiful homes in Atwood for her family & friends, even her very own. She also published a cookbook My Family's Favorites or "Did We Eat Yet?", with over 800 recipes handed down from family, friends & neighbors. It had family history, genealogy (a personal favorite past-time of hers) and is a family treasure.

Mary & Gene enjoyed trips with their friends throughout their lives & had celebrated their 60th Anniversary in September 2008, before Gene's passing on September 28, 2008.

Mary is preceded in death by her husband, her parents, her father & mother-in-law, Carl & Theresia (Kogl) Leitner, an infant son, Michael Eugene, her brother Edwin (Lorraine) Prideaux, her sisters, Bernita (Russell) Porter, Leta (Walter) Rippe, brother-in-law, Daryl Organ, granddaughter, Lori Vyzourek and grandson, Shane Felzien.

Mary is survived by her five children & spouses, Marsha (Chuck) Felzien, Pam (Lee) Vyzourek, Mike (Kim), Mark (Linda) & Brad (Mandy); sister-in-law, Shirley Organ; brother-in-law, Kenneth Leitner, and many nieces & nephews. Mary was known as "Grandma Mom" to her 17 grandchildren, 31 great grandchildren & 6 great-great grandchildren. Her love for her family & friends was what kept her going each & every day.

Funeral Mass will take place at 10:00 a.m. Friday, March 19, 2021, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Atwood, with viewing starting at 8:30 a.m. and a Vigil at 9:30 a.m. Interment will take place in Mount Calvary Cemetery, Atwood. Memorials are suggested to Wheat Haven Home, LLC and may be sent in care of Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 391, Colby, KS 67701. For information or condolences visit www.baalmannmortuary.com