Mary Lee (Polak) Piroutek, 78, passed away Tuesday, January 3, 2023, at Smith Center Health and Rehab Center, Smith Center, KS.
Mary was born August 18, 1944, in Belleville, KS, the daughter of
Rudolph and Julia (Sterba) Polak. Mary married Dennis Piroutek on May
16, 1965, and to this union, they were blessed with three boys, Brad,
Russ and Jeff.
Mary was raised in Munden, and eventually the
family moved to their farm north of Narka, KS, where she lived until she
graduated. She was baptized on September 20, 1944, at St. George
Catholic Church in Munden, and later in life became a member of the
Presbyterian Church. Mary graduated from Narka High School and attended
Brown Mackie College in Salina. After finishing her degree at Brown
Mackie, she worked in Salina at the Kansas Board of Trade Office until
she and Dennis were married. After marriage, Mary and Dennis moved to
Beloit, KS, where they spent five years. Later, they settled in Smith
Center, where they have lived the rest of their lives, working and
raising a family.
For 40 years, Mary worked side by side
with Dennis as bookkeeper at the business they owned and operated, Smith
Center Machine and Auto Supply. She also worked at Smith Center Coast
to Coast for a short time. Between these jobs, she still found time to
be the homemaker, raising and taking care of 3 boys and all the
activities that come with being a wife and a mother.
Mary was
a faithful member of the Smith Center Presbyterian Church, active in
many roles within the church and food pantry. Mary also enjoyed being
involved with 4-H, Meals on Wheels, Young Mother’s Club and operating
the Tea Room Parlor with a close family friend. Mary thoroughly enjoyed
planning and going on family vacations, being able to visit a number of
National Parks with Dennis and her family at her side. She also
greatly enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and watching them
grow. Mary always had such a joyful smile and will be dearly missed by
all.
She is proceeded in death by her parents, brother Richard Polak and his wife Sandra.
Left to celebrate her life is her loving husband Dennis, their
children Brad (Julie) of Reno, Nevada, Russ (Stacia) of Belleville, KS,
Jeff of Gardner, KS, brother Jim (Sue) Polak, Wichita, KS, grandchildren
Nick, Hayley, Zack and Duncan, along with other nieces, nephews,
cousins and friends.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30
A.M., Saturday, January 7, 2023, at the United Methodist Church, Smith
Center, KS, with Pastor Maggie McIntosh officiating. Visitation will be
held on Friday, January 6, 2023, from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., with
family present to greet friends from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at All
Faiths Funeral Chapel, 113 S. Madison St., Smith Center, KS. Burial
will take place in the National Cemetery, 1750 280 RD, Narka, KS, at
3:00 p.m. Saturday.
Memorials may be given to the Smith Center United Methodist Church or Smith Center Heath and Rehab and can be sent in care of the funeral chapel.