Mary Lois Parkhurst, 95, of Russell, Kansas, died on Sunday September 22, 2024, at the Main Street Manor in Russell, Kansas.
Mary was born on February 01, 1929, in Russell, Kansas, the daughter of Carl W. and Olinda (Krug) Kilian. She grew up in Russell and graduated from Russell High School in 1948. She met, fell in love and was united in marriage to James Lee Parkhurst on April 03, 1949, in Russell, Kansas. From this union Mary and James were blessed with four children Pam, Daniel, Julie and Laura.
Mary was an avid Bridge and Canasta Player, she enjoyed playing golf, walking, knitting, crocheting, cross stitching and sewing. She also liked watching KU Basketball and loved spending time with her son and daughters, her 5 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren.
She was a member of the United Methodist Church in Pratt, Ks where she taught Sunday school and Vacation Bible school. Most recently she renewed her membership to her childhood church, The St. John Lutheran Church in Russell KS where she was baptized and completed Confirmation in 1943.
She was also a lifetime member of both the American Legion Auxiliary and VFW in Russell, Ks. She was a member of the Red Hat Ladies and Russell Community Theater in Russell.
She volunteered to deliver Meals on Wheels and helped at the Russell County Food Pantry.
She worked as an office and catalog department clerk at JCPenney’s in Pratt and as an accounting clerk for Woolwines Automotive Supply, also in Pratt.
She is survived by her four children, daughter Pam Parkhurst of Wichita, Kansas; son Daniel Parkhurst of Russell, Kansas; and daughters Julie Hamm and husband Mark of Moriarty, New Mexico and Laura Coon and husband Jan of Spirit Lake, Iowa.; brother Richard Kilian of Russell, Kansas and sister Karen Stafford and husband Jim of Phoenix, Arizonia; 5 grandchildren and 13 greatgrandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband James, brother Frank Kilian and sister Doris Jones. A memorial service to celebrate Mary’s life will be held at 10:30 am on Friday, September 27, 2024, at the St. John Lutheran Church in Russell, Kansas with Pastor Teri Sutherlin officiating. Cremation has been selected by the family and she will be laid to rest at Greenlawn Cemetery in Pratt, Kansas. Family will greet guests the day of the service at the church. Memorials may be given to the Main Street Manor and sent in care of the mortuary. Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, Kansas, is in charge of the funeral service arrangements.