Mary Wilma (Koester) Billips, of Hill City passed away Monday, November 17, at Hays Medical Center. She was 97 years old. Mary was born on the farm near Densmore, Kansas, on September 8, 1928, to Edward John and Adeline Kathryn (Hardiek) Koester. She graduated from Densmore High School in 1946. Mary attended Normal School Training at Fort Hays Kansas State College. She married Don Billips on November 25, 1947, in Norton Kansas.
She was a founding member of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Hill City. Mary was also a charter member of the Graham County Hospital Auxiliary.
Mary taught at Whitfield Country School and Hill City Grade School. After starting their family, she was a homemaker and later in life, she taught pre-school in Hill city for 14 years. Mary was an excellent cook, baker, seamstress, made beautiful handiwork, and was known for her tea rings. She was an avid 4-H supporter and judged many county fairs and Kansas State Fair.
She is survived by her husband of 77 years, Don, of the home, sons Laverne 'Ace' (Janet) and Lyle 'Butch' (Kappi) Billips of Hill City, daughters Linda Brown, Waco, Texas, Lisa (Kent) Colwell, Hays, and Lori Elpers, Cheney, daughter-in-law Linda Billips, Bogue, and sister-in-law Irene Koestser, Logan. Grandchildren, Bruce (Roseanne) Billips, Brett (Michelle) Billips, Roger Billips (Chelsie Wolf), Kassi (Jason) Cain, Robert Brown, Greg (Ashley) Billips, Chris (Carianne) Colwell, Mark (Anjali) Colwell, Anne (Nate) Pitts, and Renee Elpers, twelve great grandchildren, five step great-grandchildren, and two step great-great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by infant daughter Kathryn Ann, son Layton Carl, and daughter LaDonna Mary, her parents, brothers Harry, Ralph, sisters Arlene Schick, Dorthy Schneider, and Edna Riemann, and son-in-law Pat Elpers.
Visitation will be on Friday, November 21, 2025 from 3-7 p.m. at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church with family there from 5-7 p.m. A rosary will be said at 7:00 p.m. mass of Christin Burial will be at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, November 22 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church. At 110 North 10th Avenue, Hill City, Kansas. Internment will follow at Memorial Lawe Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to a 4-H Scholarship Fund to be established with checks made payable to Lisa Colwell, or to the church for masses.