Mary Kerschen Byrne

Mary Kerschen Byrne, 73, loving wife, mother, and grandmother, died Friday, January 23, 2026.

Rosary will be at 10:00 AM, Funeral Mass will follow at 10:30 AM, on Saturday, February 7, 2026, at St Catherine of Siena Catholic Church, Wichita, KS.

Mary was born and raised in Andale, Kansas, and graduated from Andale High School in 1970.  She graduated from Wichita State University in 1985 and taught Physical Education at Valley Center High School for several years. While working at The Wichita Country Club, she met her husband, Tom; they would have been married for 47 years on Feb. 3, 2026. Even though she enjoyed teaching, she spent most of her working career with United Airlines.  She retired, and, as many retirees do, she devoted her time to her grandchildren.

Even though Mary was a Wichita State graduate, her husband was an OU grad, and she became a lifelong fan, with a house decorated in a sea of red, and numerous trips between Wichita and Norman to attend OU football games and visit their sons and grandchildren living in Oklahoma.

Mary is preceded in death by her parents, Gerald L. and Margaret (Kocour) Kerschen, and three of her sisters, Brenda Sanchez, Jonelle Bradshaw, and Janet Hintz.  She is survived by her husband, John ‘Tom’ Byrne of Wichita, KS; sons, JT (Kelly) Byrne and Mike Byrne; and grandchildren, Marley Byrne, Maddie Byrne, and Luke Byrne.  She is also survived by her brothers, Jerry Kerschen and Chuck (Karen) Kerschen, and her sisters, Jeanne Steven and Ann (Ray) Bunch.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice, 313 S. Market, Wichita, KS 67202   https://www.hynesmemorial.org

Arrangements through Downing & Lahey West Mortuary