Mary Nelson, 1962-2024

Mary was bright, she was beautiful, she was caring. She was talented, generous, funny, and kind.  Mary was loving, and she was loved.

She was magic.  Everything was better because of her.  She made you feel welcome, comfortable and at ease.  She did not judge.   She accepted everyone, person and beast, as a friend.

Mary Nelson, 62, of Wichita, Kansas, died unexpectedly on July 17, 2024, of cancer which had returned unknowingly just two weeks prior.

Mary Ann was born January 7, 1962, at Hoffman Memorial Hospital in Little River, KS, the fourth child of Kenneth and Marie Meier Nelson. She attended Little River schools and graduated in 1980. She attended Bethany College, then transferred to the University of Kansas to complete her degrees in Geography and Journalism. She was a member of Kappa Tau Alpha, the national honorary journalism society.

After graduating, Mary worked for two mapping companies, one in Manhattan KS and one in Indianapolis IN, before returning to her Kansas roots. She became curator of Dr Edward Tihen's collection of early Wichita history in the form of books, photographs, maps, postcards and other documents. Mary and Dr Tihen worked together for several years in the organizing phase until his death in 1991. She continued with the work when most of the collection was donated to Wichita State University. Mary was hired by then-curator Mike Kelly of the Special Collections Department at WSU.  She expanded her knowledge and expertise to include a wide range of subjects and was an indispensable member of the staff at Ablah Library for almost thirty years. Mary was also instrumental in the establishment of the Digital Collections for Special Collections. She enjoyed the challenge of her position and will be missed by her library colleagues.

Mary met Mickey Sheaks on the ball diamond -- she played second, and he played shortstop -- where they began a life of double plays and joyous adventures. They married on September 30, 1995. He was her cherished and loving husband of almost 29 years. Their family was complete with the addition of two special cats, Abigail and Tux.

Mary was an all-around athlete. She participated in many 5K and 10K races and played basketball and softball in high school. She was an advocate of exercise classes, taking many courses in strength training and yoga. She also followed sports as a fan, supporting area high school basketball teams with her attendance as well as cheering on the KU basketball and Kansas State football teams. She often chose to listen to commentators Bob & Max on the KU radio network.  She rooted for the Chiefs on TV.

Mary was very musical, having grown up in a family who enjoyed music and music education. Mary played the piano and the flute and sang in the Bethany College Messiah for several seasons. She danced with her Dad in the living room -- it was a requirement of the Nelson daughters, learning the steps of his era -- and loved doing it. She emulated her mother in many ways and especially enjoyed flower gardening like Marie.

Mary will be deeply missed by many loved ones. She is survived by her spouse Mickey, and by her siblings, Anna Nelson Uhlig and spouse Paul of Wichita, and David Nelson and spouse Debra of Little River; sisters-in-law Susy Hammons of Pittsburg KS and Miko Omura of Japan, as well as her aunts, nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family, and lifelong friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Kenneth and Marie Meier Nelson, her brother John K Nelson, her in-laws Mary Ellen and John Sheaks, her sister-in-law and brother-in-law Judy McKenna and Bill Kruse, and her grandparents, Jacob Jr. and Lydia Ostwald Meier of Marion, KS, and E. F. and Blenda Pehrson Nelson of Little River.

Please join us at Botanica in Wichita on Wednesday July 31st at 5:30pm for Mary Memories.

There is a new star in the heavens.