Mary Kathryn (Prideaux) Leitner died Saturday, March 13, 2021, at Wheat
Haven Home in McDonald, Kansas, at the age of 90. She was born February
1, 1931, the youngest of Henry & Bertha (Threlkel) Prideaux, 17
miles south of Atwood on the Wayne Kuntz farm on the Middle Sappa Creek,
site of the famous Cheyenne Indian Battle Ground of April 23, 1875.
Mary attended grade school & high school in Atwood, where in high
school she met the love of her life, Eugene F. Leitner. Mary and Eugene
(Gene) were married September 2, 1948 at Sacred Heart Church in Atwood
by Father Camillus Schmidt. She took instructions & joined the
church in December 1948. To this union 6 children were born, Marsha
Kathryn, Michael Eugene, Pamela Jo, Eugene Michael, Mark Andrew &
Bradley John.
After the kids were born, she returned to school receiving her GED from
Colby Community College in 1969. She attended a few college classes the
following years, but her family life was where she felt she belonged.
Mary's working years consisted of work she could do from home: Stanley
Home Products, hair wigs, cosmetics, ceramics & natural vitamins,
just to name a few. While she never officially joined the work force her
priority was being a homemaker, wife & mom. She was a member of
Sacred Heart Church, instrumental in CMAS & was a CCD teacher to the
Senior Classes for numerous years.
Mary designed many beautiful homes in Atwood for her family &
friends, even her very own. She also published a cookbook My Family's
Favorites or "Did We Eat Yet?", with over 800 recipes handed down from
family, friends & neighbors. It had family history, genealogy (a
personal favorite past-time of hers) and is a family treasure.
Mary & Gene enjoyed trips with their friends throughout their lives
& had celebrated their 60th Anniversary in September 2008, before
Gene's passing on September 28, 2008.
Mary is preceded in death by her husband, her parents, her father &
mother-in-law, Carl & Theresia (Kogl) Leitner, an infant son,
Michael Eugene, her brother Edwin (Lorraine) Prideaux, her sisters,
Bernita (Russell) Porter, Leta (Walter) Rippe, brother-in-law, Daryl
Organ, granddaughter, Lori Vyzourek and grandson, Shane Felzien.
Mary is survived by her five children & spouses, Marsha (Chuck)
Felzien, Pam (Lee) Vyzourek, Mike (Kim), Mark (Linda) & Brad
(Mandy); sister-in-law, Shirley Organ; brother-in-law, Kenneth Leitner,
and many nieces & nephews. Mary was known as "Grandma Mom" to her 17
grandchildren, 31 great grandchildren & 6 great-great
grandchildren. Her love for her family & friends was what kept her
going each & every day.
Funeral Mass will take place at 10:00 a.m. Friday, March 19, 2021, at
Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Atwood, with viewing starting at 9:00 a.m.
and a Rosary at 9:30 a.m. Interment will take place in Mount Calvary
Cemetery, Atwood. Memorials are suggested to Wheat Haven Home, LLC and
may be sent in care of Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 391, Colby, KS 67701.
For information or condolences visit www.baalmannmortuary.com