Mary M. Koontz

Mary M. Koontz, 85, Leawood, KS passed away Saturday, April 23, 2016 at Villa St. Joseph, Leawood, KS.

Mary was born on the second floor of a two story home December 14, 1930 in Axtell, KS to Robert E. and Margaret C. Smith. She was a graduate of Marysville High School. On January 2, 1952, Mary married Claron L. Koontz in Fort Walton, FL, while Claron was in the Air Force. They moved to the University of Kansas campus, Lawrence, KS in 1957 and then to the Kansas City area in 1959. She worked at the Kansas City, KS Court House and later Panhandle Eastern Pipeline. After retirement, Mary and Claron moved to Brownsville, TX. Over the next 15 years, they traveled to all continental states including Alaska. In 2007, Mary and Claron returned to Overland Park, KS.

Mary was preceded in death by her husband, Claron on Nov. 28, 2009. She is survived by her four sons, Michael (Pamela) Koontz, Overland Park, KS, Stephen (Jane) Koontz, Baton Rouge, LA, Robert (Sandy) Koontz, Tonganoxie, KS and Mark Koontz, Basehor, KS; sister, Charlotte (Marshall) Jones, Spokane, WA; eleven grandchildren, Amber, Matthew, Melissa, Julie, Tim, Joe, Aubrey, Andy, Austin, Eric and Bren; and two great grandchildren, Hannah and Jason.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday, April 28, 2016 at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church, 143rd and Nall. Graveside services will be 2:00 p.m. Thursday at the Garnett Cemetery, Garnett, KS.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions in memory of Mary M. Koontz to the OHSU Knight Cancer Institute, 3181 S.W. Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, OR 97239-3098, www.ohsu.edu/knight-cancer-institute.