Marie Pray

Marie Themer Pray, 99, formerly of Wichita, Kan., died Nov. 26, 2020. Marie was born Dec. 30, 1920, in Kingfisher, Okla., and was living in Dallas at the time of her death. Graveside service will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 3, at Wichita Park Cemetery. Marie was secretary for Dick Price Motors, where she met her future husband, Ed. Ed and Marie were married for 52 years. They enjoyed traveling, including trips to Germany (where her grandparents immigrated from) and bus trips throughout North America. She and Ed frequently attended WSU sports events, including women’s and men’s basketball and volleyball. Marie was a center on the Big Four high school girls' basketball team. She and her sister Dorothea played AAU basketball for Beech Aircraft, playing in a national tournament. She later kept fit by participating in exercise classes at WSU and doing yoga. Her other activities including bridge, golf, and bowling. Marie volunteered as a Pink Lady at Wesley Hospital for 7,550 hours, and at the Institute for Logopedics. She was a member of P.E.O. and Lioness Club and assisted with the Wichita Convention Center and Election Board. In 2009, Marie moved to Highland Springs in Dallas where she found new activities to keep active (bridge, Five Crown, swimming, daily chair and water aerobics, and volunteering in the library). She also enjoyed regular walks around the lake into her 90s and was an avid quilter. Marie was a kind and caring person. She had a contagious laugh and laughed often with her family and friends. She grew up attending the Lutheran Church in Kingfisher. Old hymns were her favorite music. She loved her family, and it was important to her to help organize reunions during the summers. Every year her family came from Dallas, Kansas City, Winfield, and Chicago to be together for Christmas. Christmas Eve was shared at church watching a Christmas pageant and Christmas Day was filled with laughter, food, and cheer. Marie was preceded in death by her husband, Edwin; parents William and Meta Themer; brothers William (Bill) Themer and Paul Themer; sisters Martha Ann Themer, Pauline Latham, and Dorothea Rindt; and son-in-law Jerry Bittle. She is survived by her brother, Arthur (Sharlene) Themer, Kingfisher, OK; her children: daughters Marilyn (Greg) Ratay, Illinois, Trish Bittle, Texas, Janis (Curt) Heinz, Lenexa, Kan., and son Ron (Cindy) Pray, Winfield, Kan.; grandchildren: Michele Ratay, Alicia (Corey) Olson, Brett Ratay, Jordan (John) Livingtone, Carrie (Billy) Wade, Abby (Andrew) Yeaton, Emily (John) Supica, Connor (Kiana) Heinz, Jake (Lindsay) Pray, and Luke Pray; and great-grandchildren: Sage, Travis, Kyla, William, Alaina, Michael, JP, Caitlin, Madison, Dylan, Hadley, Harrison, Ellie, Willow, Olive, Asher; and many loving nieces and nephews. Downing & Lahey Mortuary - East Chapel.