Mary T Stockman Passes Away

Mary T Stockman, 91, passed from this world to her new journey with the Lord, November 11, 2017 at Midland Hospice in Topeka. 

She was born May 19, 1926, in Topeka, the sixth of seven daughters of Leo A. and Loretta Erbacher. 

T grew up in St. Marys, KS, where she attended and graduated from Immaculate Conception Catholic School. After high school graduation she attended St. Mary's College in Leavenworth before moving to Denver to join the workforce.

During her high-school years, she began to date the love of her life, Robert (Bob) Stockman. They married on Friday, June 13, 1947, in Cheyenne, WY. After a few years there, they returned to Kansas to farm and raise a family. After brief periods on farms in the Emmett and Rossville areas, they settled near Maple Hill, where they lived and ranched for 43 years.

T was involved in the community, serving on the Maple Hill School Board as well as in leadership roles with the Maple Hill 4-H club and county 4-H. She was a long-time member of the Maple Hill Research Club and Wabaunsee County Farm Bureau. She was also a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church parish in St. Marys. 

T loved her extended family and had many friends, young and old. She was known for her ability to connect with people and for her ability to listen and provide sound advice. She spent countless hours as a volunteer on a hotline, talking with individuals in their times of need.

In 1996, T and Bob retired and moved to their home on Pomona Lake with the view that was her daily inspiration. She enjoyed boat rides and swimming every chance she could get. She enjoyed many friend and family gatherings at the lake. She loved to cook and use fresh produce from Bob's garden. 

After moving, she became a member of St. Patrick Churches of Osage City and Scranton. She enjoyed involvement in various parish activities. The parish involvement was especially meaningful because her grandparents were married at St. Patrick in Scranton.

This past June, T and Bob celebrated their 70th Wedding Anniversary with a gathering of family and friends. They were named the longest-married couple in Kansas for 2017 by Worldwide Marriage Encounter. There was also a proclamation by the Kansas House of Representatives honoring them for their long marriage. 

T was preceded in death by her daughter, Beverly Jean Stockman Harris, as well as her parents and her sisters. She is survived by her husband and as well as her sons and daughters; Barbara (Larry) Schulte of Leawood; Bruce (Pat) Stockman of Prior Lake, MN; Brian (Michele) Stockman of Parker, CO; Brenda (Kevin) Selman of Columbia, MO. She has 12 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren. She is also survived by many other loving extended family members.

Two visitations will be held for friends and family to gather. The first will be at Piper Funeral Home, St. Marys, Friday, November 24, 5-7 p.m. concluding with a vigil liturgy and sharing of memories. The second will be at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Osage City, 9:30-10:30 a.m., Saturday, November 25. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. A luncheon will follow. Interment will be at 2 p.m. at the Maple Hill Cemetery. A coffee gathering will be held at the Parish Hall in Maple Hill immediately following.

Memorial contributions may be made to the building fund for St. Patrick Church of Scranton, C/O Parishes of St. Patrick, 309 S 6th St, Osage City, KS 66523, or to the PACE Midland Care Building Campaign at https://www.midlandcareconnection.org/get-involved/support-our-work/waystogive/donate-online/ Piper Funeral Home, St. Marys is in charge of arrangements. To leave an online condolence please go to www.pperfuneralhome.com.A