Mary Kious

Mary Elaine (Walker) Kious, 86, passed away peacefully January 25, 2020 at Thornton Manor in Lansing. A life well lived was celebrated Saturday, February 1 at the United Methodist Church, Lansing with a memorial service officiated by Pastor Sedar Wembonyama Shako. Inurnment was at Oak Hill Cemetery, Lansing.

Mary was born January 27, 1933 in Batavia to Ernest and Jessie Walker. She grew up on a small farm in rural Gorin, MO. She enjoyed riding her mare, Mabel, and getting piggyback rides to her one-room schoolhouse on her brother’s shoulders. Mary played basketball and graduated class valedictorian from Gorin High School in 1951.

She moved to Ft. Madison and began working for the Sheaffer Pen Company.

Mary married her sweetheart, Robert G. Kious, June 30, 1956. They settled in Lansing where they soon bought a home and were welcomed by their new south town neighbors. Mary was the city librarian for 25 years, Den Mother to Troupe 47, Den 4, bowled in Wednesday afternoon women’s league and was an active member in the United Methodist Church.  She sang in the church choir, made pies for bake sales and served as the UMCW treasurer for many years. She also enjoyed taking her turn hosting afternoon coffee with a wonderful group of lifelong friends.

Mary was an excellent cook and enjoyed making large meals for special occasions and holidays. A family favorite was her orange salad. She frequently wowed her family with beautifully decorated cakes. She took great pride in keeping a lovely home, sewing her own clothes, and growing flowers in the summer, especially her Clematis vine.

Mary is survived by her three children, Kirk Kious, Kris (Mary) Kious and Karen (Marvin) Takes. She will also be missed by her grandchildren, Reed (Kristi) Kious, Kate Root, Lynn Kious, Courtney Kious, Jennifer (Mason) Tucker, Kristine Kious and Sara Kious; her great-grandchildren, Reese, Carter and James; her sister-in-law, Pat Kious; and many special nieces and nephews.

Mary was preceded in death by her husband of 58 years, Robert G. Kious; her parents, Ernest and Jessie Walker; and her siblings, Opal Lawrence, Jean Lawrence and Charles Walker.

Mary will be remembered for being devoted to her family, a true friend, a faithful servant of God, for her witty sense of humor, and most recently for her spunkiness which has given us the strength to say goodbye.