Mary E. VanLerberg, 88, of Shawnee passed away September 5, 2014 at her home surrounded by those who loved her. She was born on April 4, 1926, the eldest of two children to Paul and Mary (Strobbe) Johnson. Mary was a woman who was devoted to her family. Her husband, children and grandchildren were the center of her world and she showed that in her dedication to them throughout her life. If you were going to Grandpa and Grandma's house after school you knew you would find a fresh pot of soup on the stove or a pot roast with all the trimmings in the oven. If you were lucky enough to be there for breakfast, you would get an egg-a-koken, maybe even some brains and eggs. If you couldn't find something to eat, she would be at the stove making what you wanted. If all else failed, there was always a jar of pickles.

Prior to her marriage, Mary earned an Associate Degree in Accounting, something that few women did back then. And on May 27, 1947, Mary married Maurice VanLerberg. Four children and a lifetime of love, hard work and joy followed. Mary was bookkeeper for the companies started by her husband, Maurice VanLerberg Construction and Shawnee Village Bowl. Mary was a homemaker in the truest sense of the word, before that word lost all meaning. Her love of her family showed itself in all she did. Her home was her domain and it showed in the devotion with which she cared for her children and grandchildren and the fact that her immaculate home shone at all times. Throughout their marriage, Mary and Maurice loved traveling. Usually they were in their motor home in a caravan with other family members or friends. They took many trips to visit family in Montana, south Texas for some border hopping, but their favorite trips were the two they took to Alaska to see friends stationed there.

How blessed we are, how fortunate we've been, that you are our mother, but also our friend. She is survived by her devoted and loving husband of 67 years, Maurice, of their home. Three children, Maureen (Bob) Williams, Diane (Phil) Wheat and Dennis VanLerberg and daughter-in-law, Shari, ten beautiful grandchildren and eleven perfect great-grandchildren, brother, Albert (Edie) Johnson and sister-in-law, Janet VanLerberg, and countless nieces, nephews and cousins that she loved dearly. She was preceded in death by her parents, her oldest son, Bob, great-grandson Vander Reich, and grandson-in-law, Jack Reich.

Visitation and Services

Visitation will be 3:15 to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, September 9, 2014 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 11311 Johnson Dr., Shawnee, KS 66203. The rosary will be prayed at 3:15 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m. Wednesday at the church. Burial will be laid to rest in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery.

Memorial Contributions

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Benedictine Sisters at Mount St. Scholastica, 801 S. 8th Street, Atchison, Kansas 66002.