Mary Lee (Leona) Korte-Jonson, 73 of Hartford, KS passed away on April 6, 2016 at St. Francis Hospital in Topeka, KS.
Mary was born September 18, 1942 in Olpe, KS to Robert and Charlotee (Fladung) Korte. Mary married William Gordon in 1970; they divorced in 1975. She is survived by her beloved family, husband of 27 years Jesse “Bud” Johnson, Jr., his children Greg Johnson and his wife Susan, and Jeanette Johnson both of Emporia, KS, grandchildren Jessica Carr and her husband Justin of Emporia, Dustin Johnson and his wife Erika of Emporia, Jared Johnson and his wife Elizabeth of Kansas City, KS, Jamie Roberts and husband Mike of Emporia, and Jaden Johnson of Emporia; great grandchildren Alexia Aquirre, Naomi Johnson, Merideth Roberts, Hunter Johnson, and Vivian Carr, all of Emporia, sister Frances Smith and her husband Gary of Neosho Rapids, KS, two nieces Carrie Molz and her husband Todd of Shawnee Mission, KS, and LaDonna Smith of Bella Vista, AR, two great nephews Tyler and Trevor Molz of Shawnee Mission. Mary was preceded in death by her parents, also preceded by Bud’s parents Jesse and Flossie (Johnston) Johnson who first lived in Minco, OK.
Mary graduated in 1960 from Emporia High School. She then went on to graduate from the Registered Nurse Program in 1963 at St. Margaret Hospital School of Nursing in Kansas City, KS. She started her nursing career in Kansas City from 1963-1983. She went to California for two years before returning to Kansas City from 1984-1989. From there she worked in Emporia from 1988-1991, Wichita from 1991-1996 and Topeka from 1997-1999. Mary then went back to work in Wichita for the American Red Cross from 1999-2001. From there she worked in Eureka, KS from 2001 until Mary retired in 2006. Mary also served in the Air National Guard from 1964 through 1967.
Mary had many interests, including quilting, photography, genealogy, theatre, and zoos. She belonged to several quilting groups and AZADV (Association of Zoo and Aquarium Docents and Volunteers). Mary was previously a docent at the Kansas City Zoo, and was a docent at the David Traylor Zoo in Emporia, KS for the last 27 years. She enjoyed teaching young children by bringing animals into the classroom. She also loved working Zoo Camp and Boo in the Zoo. Mary shared her love for the theatre by making annual trips with her husband, grandchildren, great nephews and great grandchildren for the past 27 years to see A Christmas Carol, live at the Kansas City Repertory Theatre. She recently travelled to Germany to research family history and meet family still living in the area.
Mary donated her body to KU Medical Research Center.
The family will receive visitors at Roberts-Blue-Barnett Funeral Home from 7:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. Friday April 22, 2016. Veteran’s Memorial service 1 ½ miles north of Highway 56 on Road E at Agnes City Cemetery April 23, 2016 at 8:00 A.M. A Celebration of Life will be 10:00 A.M. April 23, 2016 at Roberts-Blue-Barnett Funeral Home. A blessing of the animals will be held at the David Traylor Zoo for the immediate family only. There will be a lunch at Olpe Chicken House for family and friends of Mary Lee at 12:00 noon, April 23, 2016.
The family requests no flowers. Memorial contributions can be made to Emporia Zoo Docents and sent in care of Roberts-Blue-Barnett Funeral Home. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Mary L. Korte-Johnson, please visit our flower store.
Mary was born September 18, 1942 in Olpe, KS to Robert and Charlotee (Fladung) Korte. Mary married William Gordon in 1970; they divorced in 1975. She is survived by her beloved family, husband of 27 years Jesse “Bud” Johnson, Jr., his children Greg Johnson and his wife Susan, and Jeanette Johnson both of Emporia, KS, grandchildren Jessica Carr and her husband Justin of Emporia, Dustin Johnson and his wife Erika of Emporia, Jared Johnson and his wife Elizabeth of Kansas City, KS, Jamie Roberts and husband Mike of Emporia, and Jaden Johnson of Emporia; great grandchildren Alexia Aquirre, Naomi Johnson, Merideth Roberts, Hunter Johnson, and Vivian Carr, all of Emporia, sister Frances Smith and her husband Gary of Neosho Rapids, KS, two nieces Carrie Molz and her husband Todd of Shawnee Mission, KS, and LaDonna Smith of Bella Vista, AR, two great nephews Tyler and Trevor Molz of Shawnee Mission. Mary was preceded in death by her parents, also preceded by Bud’s parents Jesse and Flossie (Johnston) Johnson who first lived in Minco, OK.
Mary graduated in 1960 from Emporia High School. She then went on to graduate from the Registered Nurse Program in 1963 at St. Margaret Hospital School of Nursing in Kansas City, KS. She started her nursing career in Kansas City from 1963-1983. She went to California for two years before returning to Kansas City from 1984-1989. From there she worked in Emporia from 1988-1991, Wichita from 1991-1996 and Topeka from 1997-1999. Mary then went back to work in Wichita for the American Red Cross from 1999-2001. From there she worked in Eureka, KS from 2001 until Mary retired in 2006. Mary also served in the Air National Guard from 1964 through 1967.
Mary had many interests, including quilting, photography, genealogy, theatre, and zoos. She belonged to several quilting groups and AZADV (Association of Zoo and Aquarium Docents and Volunteers). Mary was previously a docent at the Kansas City Zoo, and was a docent at the David Traylor Zoo in Emporia, KS for the last 27 years. She enjoyed teaching young children by bringing animals into the classroom. She also loved working Zoo Camp and Boo in the Zoo. Mary shared her love for the theatre by making annual trips with her husband, grandchildren, great nephews and great grandchildren for the past 27 years to see A Christmas Carol, live at the Kansas City Repertory Theatre. She recently travelled to Germany to research family history and meet family still living in the area.
Mary donated her body to KU Medical Research Center.
The family will receive visitors at Roberts-Blue-Barnett Funeral Home from 7:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. Friday April 22, 2016. Veteran’s Memorial service 1 ½ miles north of Highway 56 on Road E at Agnes City Cemetery April 23, 2016 at 8:00 A.M. A Celebration of Life will be 10:00 A.M. April 23, 2016 at Roberts-Blue-Barnett Funeral Home. A blessing of the animals will be held at the David Traylor Zoo for the immediate family only. There will be a lunch at Olpe Chicken House for family and friends of Mary Lee at 12:00 noon, April 23, 2016.
The family requests no flowers. Memorial contributions can be made to Emporia Zoo Docents and sent in care of Roberts-Blue-Barnett Funeral Home. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Mary L. Korte-Johnson, please visit our flower store.
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