Mary L. Thomas, 95, of Junction City, Kansas, passed away on Sunday, January 15, 2023. A Celebration of Life will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, January 23, 2023, at Johnson Funeral Home. Inurnment will follow at Highland Cemetery. Memorial donations are suggested to the Junction City Animal Shelter, 2424 N Jackson St, Junction City, KS 66441, or Disabled American Veterans (DAV), Pearl Harbor #16, 204 E 4th Street, Junction City, Kansas 66441.
Mary was born at home on April 10, 1927, Lincoln County, Kansas, to Otto and Lillian (Hickey) Nitsch. She was raised in the country with nine siblings during the Dust Bowl and Great Depression. She's lived in the Junction City Community since 1948.
She was a lifetime member of Rebekah's. Mary started her career as a hair dresser at fifteen to help support her family. Hair dressing became her life long career and she mentored many stylists over the years. Mary finally retired at the age of 86.
Mary was always very dedicated to her family and loved spending time with her grandchildren. She told Natalie a few days before her passing that she led a charmed life.
Mary is survived by her loving children, son, Howard J. (Patricia) Shutts of Catawissa, Pennsylvania, daughter, Nancy L. (Dean) Wiehl of Bixby, Oklahoma; six grandchildren, Kimberly (Jason) Gostonyi of Emmaus, Pennsylvania, LTC (RET) Shawn (Lisa) Shutts of Macungie, Pennsylvania, Jeremy (Kari) Shutts of Souderton, Pennsylvania, Natalie Frakes of Junction City, Kansas, Cole Wiehl of Edwardsville, Kansas, Alison (Nathan) Combes of Jenks, Oklahoma; thirteen great grandchildren, Andrew (Chelsea Scuderi) Millsap, Justice Rexrode, Sara Rexrode, Lily Combes, Jonah Combes, Lyra Combes, Gabrielle (Isaac) Laudenslager, Joseph Gostonyi, Caroline Shutts, Ian Shutts, Abigail Shutts, Nathaniel Shutts, Bryn Shutts; one sister, Lillie Peck of Lawrence, Kansas; and a host of nieces, nephews, and extended family.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her first husband, Howard "Bill" Shutts; second husband, Woody "Nobby" Howery; third husband, Edwin Thomas; five brothers, Bud Nitsch, Hank Nitsch, Oscar Nitsch, Bob Nitsch, Tommy Nitsch; three sisters, Bernice Williams, Helen Cross, and baby Nitsch.
"My Gma is gone... I loved her so. She went out like she wanted. I assisted. I couldn't be more satisfied. Or saddened in my life. She was my person, my safety, and my hero." - Natalie