Mary Josephine (Wolf) Stroup, age 89, of Hays, Kansas, passed away peacefully at her home on Sunday, April 26, 2026.
Born on September 6, 1936, in Hays, Kansas, Mary Jo was the daughter of C.A. Wolf and Esther (Nelson) Wolf. She graduated from Girl’s Catholic High School in Hays in 1955 and attended Fort Hays State College, where she met the love of her life, Lyle D. Stroup. They were united in marriage on June 2, 1956, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Hays.
She was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, always strong in her faith. She was a dedicated wife and mother, supporting her husband’s career in the oil industry as their family relocated to Kansas, Louisiana, Texas, Wyoming, and Canada, before returning to Hays in the fall of 1971. Upon settling in Hays, Mary Jo began working at Travenol and later embarked on a 26-year career at Walmart. She cherished the friendships she formed with colleagues and customers, maintaining many of these relationships over the years. Mary Jo retired to care for her husband after his stroke, providing him with compassionate care at home until his passing.
Being a grandmother and great-grandmother brought Mary Jo immense joy. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren filled her life with laughter and happiness. She also had a deep love for animals and cared for many throughout her lifetime.
She enjoyed a variety of pastimes, including traveling, playing cards, and dancing. Mary Jo especially cherished spending time with her family and visiting with friends, which brought her great joy.
She will be profoundly missed by her family, friends, and beloved pets.
Mary Jo is survived by her children, Lila (Ron) Nelson, Anthony Stroup, Paul (Sara) Stroup, and her son-in-law, Dr. Michael (Carla) Hattan; ten grandchildren, Lyle (Nichole) Herrman, Logan Nelson, Holly (Dalton) Converse, Ross Hattan, Lee (Kylee) Stroup, Landon Stroup, Layton Stroup, Seth Johnson, KC Tomanek, and Kambri Tomanek; nine great-grandchildren, Ashton, Conner, Ayla, and Nicholas Herrman, Caden Lattin, Elayna Converse, Karsen Newton, Malcolm and Otis Tomanek; and one great-great-grandchild, Aksoul Lattin.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Lyle Stroup; infant son, Daniel Stroup; daughter, Dr. Carla (Stroup) Hattan; granddaughter, Laura Stroup; her parents; and her siblings, Max Wolf and Kathryn (Wolf) Eulert.
Mass of Christian Burial will be Thursday, April 30, 2026, at 10:00 AM at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 215 West 13th Street Hays, Kansas 67601. Interment will follow the Mass in the St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery - Hays. Viewing and Visitation will be Wednesday, April 29, 2026, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM with a combined Parish Vigil and Rosary service beginning at 7:00 PM at Keithley Funeral Homes and Crematory - Brock's Chapel 2509 Vine Street Hays, Kansas 67601.
Memorials are suggested to: The Humane Society of the High Plains in care of the funeral chapel.
Memories and words of comfort may be shared with Mary Jo's family on her tribute page via: www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com