Mary Lee Detweiler Wiens
Mary Lee Detweiler Wiens, 80, of
Hesston, Kansas, passed away Saturday, October 29, 2022 at Schowalter
Villa, Hesston, Kansas.
Mary Lee was born on the farm of her
parents near Thomas, Oklahoma on January 27th, 1942. Daughter of John
Robert and Ethel Lorene (Miller) Detweiler. Mary Lee was the youngest
of three girls.
After graduating from Hesston College
with an Associates Degree in Business, Mary Lee started working at
Hesston Corporation, then at Excel Industries where she was an Office
Manager and Administrative Assistant to the President. She retired
after 22 years of service.
While working at Hesston Corporation,
she met the love of her life, Richard H. Wiens. Richard and Mary Lee
married May 14, 1966 at Hesston Mennonite Church, Hesston, Kansas.
Richard and Mary Lee were married just short of 40 years. The
marriage was blessed with two children, Kimberly Wiens Barber and
Philip Wiens and four grandchildren, Katelyn (Chandler) Sanburn,
Mason Barber, Kennedy Wiens, and Cooper Wiens. Richard passed away
March 28, 2006.
Mary Lee was remarried May 23, 2009 to
Jim Smith. This marriage expanded her family to include Amy Smith
Murphy, Michael Smith, and six grandchildren.
Mary Lee enjoyed many years of
traveling. Some of her favorite places to visit were Colorado,
Florida, and Indiana. An occasional trip to Branson and a bus trip to
New York City and Washington D.C. were also special times for her.
She loved to host family and friends for coffee or a meal. She had a
knack for decorating and making all events special. She enjoyed
playing cards with her close friends and attending Bible studies.
Mary Lee loved visits from her grandchildren, catching up with their
lives and playing a game of Wahoo or dominoes. Christmas was her
favorite time of year, she loved the Christmas lights and making the
house feel warm and cozy. She was a member of Hesston Mennonite
Church for 50+ years, where she volunteered by teaching Sunday
school, being involved in youth group and hosting Hesston College MOD
groups. Her and Jim also enjoyed giving back to the community through
the Meals on Wheels program with weekly deliveries. Mary Lee was
raised in a Christian home, surrounded by strong believers. She
continued her faith journey throughout life as she placed God at the
center of her day to day.
Mary Lee is survived by her husband,
Jim Smith of Hesston; her children, Kim Barber and her husband Brett,
of Hesston, Phil and his wife Krista, of Nappanee, Indiana, Amy and
her husband Mike Murphy of Norman, Oklahoma, and Michael and his wife
Dana Smith of Norman, Oklahoma. She is also survived by her
grandchildren, Katelyn and her husband Chandler Sanburn of Wichita,
Mason Barber of Wichita, Kennedy Wiens of Nappanee, Indiana, Cooper
Wiens of Nappanee, Indiana, Abigail and her husband Thomas Cordray of
Tahlequah, Oklahoma, Addelin Replogle and Ty Replogle of Broken
Arrow, Oklahoma, and Isaac, Elijah, and Jeremiah Smith of Norman,
Oklahoma; two sisters, Patsy and her husband Earle Dirks, and Ruth
Ann and her husband, Dick Toews; and many nieces and nephews.
Memorial services will be held at 1:00
p.m., Friday, November 4, 2022 at Dyck Arboretum, Hesston, Kansas.
Family will greet friends from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., Thursday, November
3, at the Arboretum. Private burial will take place at Eastlawn
Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial
contributions to be made to Good Shepherd Hospice or Schowalter Villa
Good Samaritan Fund in care of Miller-Ott Funeral Home, PO Box 32,
Hesston, KS 67062.
