Mary Steele

Mary Agnes (Schmoker) Steele, age 92, of Atwood, died Friday April 26, 2024, at Hays Medical Center in Hays, Kansas.

Mary was born May 20, 1931, to Frederick and Hattie (LaRue) Schmoker in Oberlin, Kansas. She attended Oberlin High School and married Bill Steele on August 9, 1949. To this union, nine children were born. Of the nine children, survivors include: Bob, Vicki Rader (Chuck), Peggy Goss (Ken Hiatt), Terry, Kathy Steinke, and Susanne. Preceding Mary in death were her husband Bill, and three children: Judy, Connie, and Patty.

She was also preceded in death by her parents and eight brothers and sisters. She is survived by one brother, Keith Schmoker of Wichita, Kansas.

Her hobbies included creating porcelain dolls and later switched to her passion of quilting. She loved her family, including a large number of grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren. Her dog and granddogs were a big part of her life.

Mary worked as a cook at the High School, as well as other duties at the Good Samaritan Center, and the Rawlins County Hospital. She and Bill also owned and operated the Atwood bowling alley.

Visitation will be from 2:00 to 2:30 p.m., with the funeral service starting at 2:30 p.m., Wednesday, May 1, 2024, at the United Methodist Church in Atwood, Kansas. Interment will follow in the Atwood Fairview Cemetery. Memorials may be made in her name to the Atwood Senior Center or the Atwood Public Library and sent in care of Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 391, Colby, KS 67701. For information or condolences visit baalmannmortuary.com