Mary Ann (Holste) Oelke was born June 28, 1929 to Herman and Mary (Hoffbauer) Holste near Ludell, Kansas. She passed away on July 13, 2019 at the Hays Medical Center at the age of 90. Mary Ann was baptized on July 7, 1929 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Ludell and confirmed on April 18, 1943. After attending grade school at the parochial school in Ludell, she attended Rawlins County High School. After graduation she worked at the Rawlins County Extension office.
On February 24, 1952 Mary Ann was united in marriage to Paul G. Oelke at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Ludell. They were blessed with four children, Donald, Janet, Duane and Robert. They lived in Hoxie for a short time after they were married and she worked for the Extension Office in Sheridan County. In 1953 they purchased a farm north of Hoxie. One of the most important things to Mary Ann was raising her family to be open, loving Christians. She enjoyed working in her garden and attending to her many flowers. Faith in God was an important part of her life and she was involved in all church activities. She served as church secretary for over 30 years. Paul and Mary Ann enjoyed traveling. After Paul’s retirement, when the fall harvest was over they would take an extended vacation to enjoy the warmer climate, always taking time to visit family and friends along the way.
In 2006, Paul and Mary Ann purchased a house in Hoxie. Mary Ann enjoyed living in town and visiting with her neighbors.
Mary Ann is survived by her husband Paul, son Donald and wife Kaylene of Hoxie, KS, daughter Janet Meitl and her husband David of Dresden, KS, daughter-in-law Pam Bellew of North Platte, NE, son Robert of Rapid River, MI and family friend Tim Harvey; brothers Herb of Ludell, KS and Robert and wife Betty of Florida; sister-in-laws Barbara Holste of Detroit, MI, Louise Oelke of Hoxie, KS, Clarice Hyde of Sacramento, CA, JoAnn Oelke of Ottawa, KS, Alice Oelke of St. Francis, KS, and Carol Junge of Sun City West, AZ; Grandchildren, Jennifer Spresser (Curt), Jason Oelke, Ben Meitl (Angela), Christy Juenemann (Mathew), Devin Oelke (Jalene), and Brett Oelke (Leslea); Great-grandchildren, Avery Aspegren, Zachary Spresser, Dawson Spresser, Dylan Spresser, Andrew Meitl, Carsen Meitl, Ava Meitl, Alivia Meitl, Rowen Meitl, Hadley Juenemann, Brady Juenemann, Miles Juenemann, Charley Jo Juenemann, Bella Oelke, Lilliann Oelke, Emma Schamberger, Caleb Oelke and Lauren Oelke.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Herman and Mary Holste, son Duane Oelke, brothers John and wife Velma, Clifton and wife Irene, Gerhard and wife Lorna, Arthur and wife Doris, and Herman; sisters Laurine, Dorothy and husband Jack and Edith and husband Gilbert.
A Funeral Service is planned for Thursday, July18, 2019 at 10:00 A.M. at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Hoxie, Kansas. A visitation will be held on Wednesday, July 17, 2019 from 1:00 P.M. until 6:00 P.M. at Mickey-Leopold Funeral Home, Hoxie, Kansas. Interment will be in the Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery following the service. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials to The Lutheran Hour or Sheridan County Benefit Walk. Online condolences may be left at www.mickeyleopoldfuneral.com