Mary Gertrude Tholen Evans Kuhlmann, 106, died Friday, July 18, 2014 at Halstead Health and Rehabiliataion in Halstead, Kansas.
Mary Gertrude Tholen, the daughter of Edward Bernard and Frances Mae King Tholen was born June 8, 1908 in Emporia, Kansas. She grew up and attended school in Emporia, graduating from Kansas State Teachers College with a degree in Elementary Education.
Mary taught school in Garden City, Kansas, where she met her future husband, Louis M. Evans. They were married in 1934 and moved to Scotts Bluff, Nebraska and then to Gering, Nebraska, where they owned and operated Evans Jewelry Store. To this union were born four children: Robert Edward, Mary Virginia, Ruth Frances, and Dan Louis.
After the death of her husband in 1961, Mary sold the jewelry store and moved back to Emporia to care for her aging father, Edward Tholen. She met and married, Alfred J. “Fritz” Kuhlmann on June 25, 1971. He preceded her in death on March 19, 1978.
Mary was actively involved in Sacred Heart Catholic Church, singing in the choir for many events. She also was an excellent bridge player, winning the first prize at the Emporia State University bridge tournament when she was in her 90’s. Mary loved going to the Emporia Senior Center where she celebrated her 100th birthday in style. She will always be remembered for her love of singing and her “no holds barred” style of bridge playing! Mary lived to celebrate her 106th birthday in Halstead, surrounded by family and friends.
Mary is survived by her children, Robert (Tweed) Evans of Santa Rosa, California, Ruth Evans of Lincoln, Nebraska, and Dan (Megan) Evans of Halstead; five grandchildren, Cobie Evans, Debbie Schenbeck, Tanya West, Cara Cansler, and John Evans; five great-grandchildren, Tara, Jennifer, Ray, Jack and Cate; two great-great-grandchildren, Kaidyn & Mataya; and many wonderful nieces and nephews.
Mary is preceded in death by her parents, Edward and Frances Tholen; husbands, L.M. Evans and A. J. “Fritz” Kuhlmann; infant daughter, Mary Virginia; sisters, Peg Andres and Virginia Gaddie; and brothers, Charles Tholen (her twin) and Barney Tholen.
The family wishes to thank the staff of Halstead Health and Rehab in Halstead, Ks for their loving care of Mary during her time there, and Gentiva Hospice for her final hours. Memorials may be sent to Emporia Senior Center, 603 E. 12th Avenue, Emporia, Ks 66801 or Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 101 Cottonwood, Emporia, Ks 66801.
The Rosary will be recited 10:00 A.M. Wednesday, July 23, 2014 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 101 Cottonwood, Emporia, KS 66801. The Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 10:30 A.M. at the church. Burial will be in Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery, Emporia. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Mary Gertrude Kuhlmann, please visit our flower store.
Mary Gertrude Tholen, the daughter of Edward Bernard and Frances Mae King Tholen was born June 8, 1908 in Emporia, Kansas. She grew up and attended school in Emporia, graduating from Kansas State Teachers College with a degree in Elementary Education.
Mary taught school in Garden City, Kansas, where she met her future husband, Louis M. Evans. They were married in 1934 and moved to Scotts Bluff, Nebraska and then to Gering, Nebraska, where they owned and operated Evans Jewelry Store. To this union were born four children: Robert Edward, Mary Virginia, Ruth Frances, and Dan Louis.
After the death of her husband in 1961, Mary sold the jewelry store and moved back to Emporia to care for her aging father, Edward Tholen. She met and married, Alfred J. “Fritz” Kuhlmann on June 25, 1971. He preceded her in death on March 19, 1978.
Mary was actively involved in Sacred Heart Catholic Church, singing in the choir for many events. She also was an excellent bridge player, winning the first prize at the Emporia State University bridge tournament when she was in her 90’s. Mary loved going to the Emporia Senior Center where she celebrated her 100th birthday in style. She will always be remembered for her love of singing and her “no holds barred” style of bridge playing! Mary lived to celebrate her 106th birthday in Halstead, surrounded by family and friends.
Mary is survived by her children, Robert (Tweed) Evans of Santa Rosa, California, Ruth Evans of Lincoln, Nebraska, and Dan (Megan) Evans of Halstead; five grandchildren, Cobie Evans, Debbie Schenbeck, Tanya West, Cara Cansler, and John Evans; five great-grandchildren, Tara, Jennifer, Ray, Jack and Cate; two great-great-grandchildren, Kaidyn & Mataya; and many wonderful nieces and nephews.
Mary is preceded in death by her parents, Edward and Frances Tholen; husbands, L.M. Evans and A. J. “Fritz” Kuhlmann; infant daughter, Mary Virginia; sisters, Peg Andres and Virginia Gaddie; and brothers, Charles Tholen (her twin) and Barney Tholen.
The family wishes to thank the staff of Halstead Health and Rehab in Halstead, Ks for their loving care of Mary during her time there, and Gentiva Hospice for her final hours. Memorials may be sent to Emporia Senior Center, 603 E. 12th Avenue, Emporia, Ks 66801 or Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 101 Cottonwood, Emporia, Ks 66801.
The Rosary will be recited 10:00 A.M. Wednesday, July 23, 2014 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 101 Cottonwood, Emporia, KS 66801. The Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 10:30 A.M. at the church. Burial will be in Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery, Emporia. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Mary Gertrude Kuhlmann, please visit our flower store.
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