Lucille M. Mainz

ST. MARK, KS - LUCILLE M. (GIRRENS) MAINZ, 92, beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, passed away Monday, September 24, 2012. She was preceded in death by parents, Mike and Mary Girrens; husband, Marcus (1976); brothers, Lawrence, Donald and Lou; sisters, Leona Schauf and Regina Robben. She is survived by children, Bill (Lois) of Goddard, Steve (Marge) and Joan (Vince) Wesolowsky all of Wichita, Stan (Marilyn) of Omaha, NE, Eric (Barb) of Goddard, and Vera (Greg) Girolami of Urbana, IL; sisters, Cathryn Nilles of Andale, Gladys Abbott of Kansas City and Rosemary Olmstead of Prospect Heights, IL; brother, Mike Girrens of Wichita; 13 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren. Lucille grew up on a farm in Schulte, KS as one of 11 children. Farm life would define who she was. After her marriage in 1940 to Marcus Mainz of St. Mark, she spent the next 60 years on their farm where she tended her family, her land and her cattle. Whether she was milking cows, driving trucks, feeding farm crews, tending her large flower and vegetable gardens, sewing her familys clothes or entertaining friends and family, she was the consummate farm wife who did every task well and with light-hearted joy. Lucille was a member of St. Marks Heritage Choir for many years, and in her middle years enjoyed bowling, softball, dancing and travel. She also hosted several international exchange students from Switzerland. She was a superb embroiderer and did embroidered and hand-appliqud blocks for all her children and many of her grandchildren. She also made many strip quilts for family and charitable organizations. There are many families who benefited from gifts of cinnamon buns after a death in the family and baby blankets after a birth. Lucille enjoyed spending much of her later years helping take care of her great-great-nieces and nephews, the children of Tammy Kerschen and Crystal Grimes. Rosary, 7 p.m., Friday, September 28; Funeral Mass, 10:30 a.m., Saturday, September 29, both at St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church, 19230 W. 29th St. N. in St. Mark. Memorials may be made to The Lords Diner, 520 N. Broadway, Wichita, KS 67214 or Botanica, The Wichita Gardens, 701 Amidon, Wichita, KS 67203. The family wishes to thank the staffs of Lakepoint West and Good Shepherd Hospice for their kindness and care. Downing Lahey Mortuary West.