Mary M. Tholen, 96, Shawnee, Kansas, and formerly of Hays, died February 14, 2023, at the Cottages of Shawnee.
She was born November 12, 1926, in Loretta, Kansas, to Kasper and Cecelia (Weber) Suppes. Mary grew up during the Great Depression but had fond memories of her childhood as the youngest of six children, and briefly lived on a ranch near Lamar, Colorado before moving to Hays, Kansas. On November 6, 1952, she married Dr. Alfred H. Tholen with whom she raised their five children before returning to work as the office manager for her husband’s optometric practice. She and her husband celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with a memorable family trip to Colorado one year before her husband’s death in 2003. Mary subsequently moved to the Kansas City area in 2006 to be nearer to one of her daughters but retained her fiercely independent spirit throughout her lifetime. She was a longtime member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Hays and the Daughters of Isabella Circle #254. She was dearly loved and respected as a force to be reckoned with by all who knew her, and will be deeply missed.
She is survived by her five children: Dr. Richard H. Tholen (Sami) of Plymouth, MN, Dr. David J. Tholen of Honolulu, HI, Dr. Joan M. T. Collison of Shawnee, KS, Dr. Anne M. Hirsch (Dale) of West Linn, OR, and Dr. Susan M. Tholen (John Gary) of Kennebunk, ME, as well as seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, and siblings.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 am on Monday, February 20, 2023, at St. Joseph Catholic Church with Fr. Richard Daise officiating. Burial will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5:30 pm until 8:00 on Sunday and from 9:00 am until 9:45 on Monday, all at Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home. A Daughters of Isabella rosary will be at 6:00 pm followed by a vigil service at 6:30 pm, both on Sunday at the funeral home.
Memorials in Mary’s memory are suggested and payable to Doctors Without Borders. Condolences and memories of Mary may be shared with her family at www.haysmemorial.com