Mary L Gilsdorf

Mary Lou Williams Gilsdorf, age 96, of Shawnee, Kansas passed away on July 18th, 2022 of natural causes.

She was born to Melvin Williams and Vera Potter Williams on April 13, 1926 in Horton Kansas. Her father was a tenant farmer and they lived on different farms around the Horton area when she was growing up. Her mother passed away when she was six years old. She had two older brothers Lawrence and Ray and an older sister, Marie, who have all passed away.

She attended several grade schools and graduated eighth grade from Gray’s school in 1939. She met her husband Kenneth Gilsdorf at Netawaka high school where she graduated in 1943. Mary and Ken attended high school reunions until 2019, when she was the only class member left.

Ken and Mary were married on March 31, 1944, just days before Ken shipped off to fight in Italy in World War II. While Ken was at war, Mary worked as a nurse in Horton. Ken returned home in 1946 and was a carpenter/contractor. Mary and Ken had six children: Michael, Susan, Rita, David, Scott, and MaryAnn. In 1974 when Rita passed away, Ken and Mary raised her two children Eric and Michelle as their own. Mary was a homemaker and excellent mother and cook.

Mary said she had a wonderful life. One of the highlights of her life was preparing for and traveling down the Santa Fe trail in miniature covered wagons in the summer of 1965 with her family and 25 other children. Mary and Ken were members of the Santa Fe Trail/Highway 56 Association.  Mary and Ken were instrumental in the formation of Old Shawnee Town. After her children were raised, she worked as the property manager at the El Conquistador apartments in Shawnee Kansas and as the Executive Secretary for the Shawnee Chamber of Commerce.

Family and friends were Mary’s passion and delight. She enjoyed singing, driving, square dancing, growing flowers, traveling, family gatherings, antiques, sewing, crafting, reading, recording historical family events, organizing, playing scrabble, playing cards, and helping people. Despite many hardships, Mary had a joyful, positive attitude and was fun to be around. Mary’s family and friends know her as being fearless. For many years, Mary and Ken spent the winters in Donna Texas near friends and relatives.

Mary and Ken celebrated their 78th wedding anniversary in 2022. They always had people visiting them because they were a joy to be around.

Mary is survived by her husband, five children, 16 grandchildren, and 38 great grandchildren. Mary was always proud of and cherished her family.

Mary will be buried at Resurrection cemetery in Lenexa Kansas.