Mary Catherine Mertes
November 6, 1937 ~ February 21, 2025
Mary Catherine (O’Donnell) Mertes died on Friday, February 21, 2025. She was born November 6, 1937 to William R. and Laura A. (Garland) O’Donnell in Emporia, KS. She was the third of the couple’s five children.
The family later moved to Wichita where Mary went to grade school at All Saints Catholic School and then on to Sacred Heart High School graduating in 1955. She married John J. Mertes on July 27, 1957 at the original Church of the Magdalen located at Kellogg and Woodlawn.
Mary was truly a wonderful, loving mother who taught her children a love for family and our Catholic faith. She loved babies and especially being a grandmother and great grandmother. She gave unconditionally of herself in many ways. At Christmas, there was a stocking for every single member of the family across the mantle of the fireplace.
It is hard to speak of Mary without speaking of John. They valued their Catholic faith and were active in sharing their love of the Church with others. In the early 1970’s, they were instrumental in bringing Catholic Marriage Encounter to the Wichita Diocese and served for a time in the Office of Family Life at the Diocese. They coordinated and led the effort to bring Retrouvaille, a Catholic program for couples struggling in their marriage, to the Diocese. As empty nesters they would host game nights at their house for the teenage grandchildren which then turned to adult pitch games with any family who showed up on Monday nights at their home and continued on as they moved to the Catholic Care Center.
Mary is survived by her husband of 67 years, John J.; children, Mary Therese (Mike) Wescott, Mary Patricia (Matt) Hesse, Mary Margaret Ann (Jimmy) Knoff, Mary Jane Frances (Andy) Schlapp, Mary Elizabeth (Claudio) Ferraro, John Christopher (Kristine) Mertes, Mary Ellen (Paul) Wilhelm, and Mary Eileen (Todd) Russell; brother, Jim (Rose) O’Donnell; sister-in-law, Marcia O’Donnell; and brother-in-law, Ken Gilmer; 31 grandchildren; 39 great grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Mary is preceded in death by her parents, William R. and Laura A. O’Donnell; brothers, William “Bill” O’Donnell and his wife Dorothy, Thomas Joseph “TJ” O’Donnell; sister, Ann Gilmer; and son, James Tobias (Toby) Mertes.
A vigil will be held at 7:00 pm on Friday, February 28 and a Mass of Christian Burial on Saturday, March 1 at 10:00 am both at Church of the Magdalen located at 12626 E. 21st Street North.
A memorial has been established with the Friends of Father Philip Allen Seminary Burse and the St. Katharine Drexel Catholic School Fund, both at The Catholic Diocese of Wichita, 424 N. Broadway, Wichita, KS 67202 or online at https://catholicdioceseofwichita.org/development/
Services in care of Downing & Lahey East Mortuary.
View current weather.
Memories Timeline
Photo Gallery
Guestbook
Sign the Guestbook, Light a Candle
My mom came to visit and help during each one of my four children’s births. She was there to cook, clean and take children to activities. I was so grateful to her. She was an outstanding mom and an exemplary example of living out our Catholic faith. I will miss her.
I have a trip scheduled to Wichita, next March/25. And I intend to visit Mr. John Mertes and his wife Mary Mertes.
Now, I see the news that Mrs. Mary Mertes passed away. It is very sad to hear this.
Mr. John Mertes, my condolences to you and your family.
Feel hugged!
Your Brazilian friend.
Aunt Mary’s house was always full of kids, love & fun. She was so welcoming to us all when we were kids. My favorite was caroling on Christmas Eve. Her strength as a mother is clearly reflected in how kind, caring & great to be around every one of her children are. Much love Aunt Mary as you move home. Julie
I will always remember the love extended to T.J. and me in the 70’s. Mary and John came to Missouri to babysit 4 or 5 kids of ours so we could attend a Marriage Encounter weekend. 🥰😍💕
Mary was a very kind lady. She will be missed by all her family members. May God keep her in his hands forever. Prayers for John her husband and all her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
My Mom loved our Catholic Faith, our Dad, her children, grandchildren, great-children, babies in general, her family and friends. She loved fresh flowers displayed in variety, she loved the color blue, she was a feisty and cunning card player, she loved beautiful music at Mass and the Divine Mercy Chaplet. I remember once when I came home from school to tell her that a boy was being bullied on the school playground and she hurried out the front door and confronted the bullies in a courageous and clever way that left them speechless and the bullied boy with his dignity.
Generous, patient, a warrior for Christ and gentle….these are the words that come to mind when I think about Mary. She emulates the same qualities as our divine Mother and now Mary is joined in heaven with our Queen! As a young woman I was fortunate to receive the blessings of the Mertes hospitality for a year while attending WSU. I was young and dumb and I didn’t realize what a gift I was given….they did this without wanting anything in return. Since I didn’t appreciate the hospitality at the time, I now try to model that generosity in my own life.
Sending all our love, John and the entire Mertes Family. Mary touched so many lives in the very best way. I’m grateful I got the chance to know her.
Sondra (Clarey) Yothers
My mom looked up to her sister, spoke highly of her, and I could tell she served as a source of inspiration. Aunt Mary always made us feel welcome when we would visit.
What wonderful memories of our decades of Sunday evening scripture group. Mary would greet me with a hug and say Peace! After our session of scripture and prayers we’d catch up on life. Lots of laughter, sometimes tears…much joy!
I was always here favorite. She a l ways said Apple Pectin in my hair would make me shine. She never had a negative thing to say. Just always said remember My dear Mary I will always be there for you. And ur father will love you no matter what.
The Mertes family saved me and other unwed mothers by opening their home and their lives. My child is now 45 years old. She wouldn’t be here if Mary and John hadn’t given me the option to keep my baby, working with Catholic Social Services. I will be forever grateful to them and to all the kids who treated me more like a sister than a “guest” the entire summer of 1979. I’m so sorry I missed the mass and funeral; just heard about this yesterday. I’m so very sorry for the family’s loss, but seeing what you’ve left behind, what a tribute of life. With much love, Marybeth Swayne.
God bless you Marybeth.
Mom was inspirational and generous. She loved God and her family. She had no favorites, no agendas, no hatred’s; she only wanted to lead people to God. I am proud of her legacy and to be part of it. Love God, be ProLife, support the Family, support education and give beyond what you think you can physically, emotionally, and spiritually for your reward will be great in heaven.