Mary Frances Wasinger

Mary Frances Wasinger, 76, Ellis, Kansas, died Wednesday, September 23, 2020 at her home surrounded by family.

She was born January 16, 1944 in Scott City, Kansas the third oldest of 19 children of Jack H. and Elizabeth J. “Betty” (Kerkoff) West.  She was a graduate of Scott City High School and Dodge City Community College Nursing School.  Mary was a nurse at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas, Texas.  On February 8, 1964 she was united in marriage to Dale W. Wasinger at Sacred Heart Cathedral in Dodge City, Kansas, and they celebrated 56 years of marriage.  She was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Ellis.

In 1975 she moved to Ellis and became owner and funeral director alongside her husband, purchasing Johnson Funeral Chapel, which was built in 1956 by Weldon and Alberteen Johnson.  It later became known as the Wasinger Funeral Chapel, a business she owned for 30 years.  After her retirement she became a caregiver for the elderly people of her community who were like family to her.  She enjoyed flower gardening, traveling, cooking and baking, sewing, china painting, and quilting.  Her family was of utmost importance to her, especially her grandsons.

Survivors include her husband Dale of the home in Ellis, two daughters; Cheryl (Leonard Jr.) Augustine and Kim M. Keithley, both of Ellis, two grandsons; Tanner Keithley of Ellis and Bryce Keithley of Hays, six brothers; Arthur J. West (Susie) of El Segundo, CA, Jack H. West (Shelley) of Vista, CA, David L. West of Vancouver, WA, Patrick West (Debbie) of Oceanside, CA, Louis P. West of Garden City, KS, and Terry J. West (Beverly) of Shallow Water, KS, and nine sisters; Margaret J. Ellison and Elizabeth J. Bradley, both of Wichita, KS, Martha Jonagan (Dale) of Ingalls, KS, Dorotha A. Reynolds of Dodge City, KS, Ruth J. West of Bakersfield, CA, Kathryn L. Church (Gary) of Kansas City, KS, Rebecca S. Morton (Stan) of Lawrence, KS, Barbara S. Betzold (Morris) of Hutchinson, KS, and Virginia L. Leonard (Mitch) of Dodge City, KS.

She was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers; Mike West and Gene West, and a sister; Carolyn Hinojosa.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 am on Monday, September 28, 2020 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Ellis, with Fr. Dana Clark officiating.  Burial will follow in Mt. Hope Cemetery.  Visitation will be from 5:00 pm until 8:00 with a vigil service at 7:00, all on Sunday at the church.  Due to COVID-19, social distancing and masks are required during the visitation and funeral services.  In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Hospice of HaysMed or to St. Mary's Catholic Church, in care of Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home.  Condolences and memories of Mary may be shared with the family at www.haysmemorial.com