Mary Lane Obituary

On June 2, 2025, Mary Ann Lane passed away peacefully in her home surrounded by her family after a long battle with cancer. She was 51 days from her 95th birthday. 

Mary Ann was born on July 23, 1930, the daughter of John S. and Mathilda (Wendling) Brown, at her parents' farm outside Olpe, KS. She was a homemaker for 22 years and then worked at IBP in Emporia, retiring after 25 years. She was known affectionately as "Hamburger Mary". After retirement, she worked several years as a home health aide for various clients around Emporia. 

Mary Ann loved to garden. She had quite the beautiful flowers in her yard but loved growing vegetables, too. And her love of animals was well known. From her pet raccoon, Bobby, when she was growing up, her little Shih Tzu, Buddy, who preceded her in death, to her cats, Tillie and Larry. But she loved her family most of all.

Mary Ann is survived by her children, Karolynn (Dennis) Barr, Emporia, Koleen (Gerard) Hansen, Emporia, Kevin (Jalynn) Hedrick, Olathe, and Kandice (David) Cain, Emporia. She also had 13 grandchildren, Dawn Aye, Joshua Clark, Stacie Sharp, Jacob Clark, Ventura Mendoza, Monica Schloetzer, Aubrey Schenker, Jennifer Lombardo, Cory Cain, Julie Hedrick, Kendra Price, Colton Cain, and Kyler Cain; 20 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Kathi (Trent) Clark, Neosho Rapids, son, Kenneth (Toni) Hedrick, Waverly, her parents, and all her siblings, Leona Whittredge, Florine Topper, Seraphin Brown, John Brown, Jennie Brown, Robert Brown, Edwin Brown, and Helen Phillips along with their spouses. 

Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, June 21, 2025, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Emporia. The Rosary will be recited at 9:30 a.m. before mass. Inurnment to follow at Sacred Heart Cemetery in Emporia. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Hand In Hand Hospice and sent in care of Jones VanArsdale Funeral Home, P.O. Box 43, Lebo, KS 66801. Condolences may be expressed at Vanarsdalefs.com.