Mary Ella Ward

Mary Ella Ward, age 85, of Ulysses, Kansas died Tuesday, January 7, 2014 at Bob Wilson Memorial Hospital in Ulysses, Kansas. She was born October 18, 1928 in Manter, Kansas, the daughter of John and Merril (Gerhart) Battin.

Mary Ella grew up in Manter and graduated from high school in Oberlin, Kansas. She obtained her bachelors degree from Kansas State University. She married Virgil L. Ward on January 1, 1948 in Manter, Kansas. Mary and Virgil lived in Missouri while he attended dental school. They moved back to Manhattan for a short time then moved to Ulysses in 1954. Mary was a homemaker and mother to her four children. She was a very active member in the First United Methodist Church, a 4-H leader, member of a book club, Junior Civic organization, and helped with the Home Products Dinner.

She is survived by her three sons, Robert D. Ward and wife Cindy of Angleton, Texas, Dr. John R. Ward and wife Mary LeNnis of Hugoton, Kansas, and Dr. Larry G. Ward and wife Jana of Wichita, Kansas; one daughter, Nancy Davis and husband Jeff of Garden City, Kansas; 11 grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Dr. Virgil Ward in 2003; and two brothers, Keith and Dwayne Battin.

Funeral service will be held at 10:00 AM on Saturday, January 11, 2014 at the First United Methodist Church in Ulysses, Kansas with Peggy Alford, Pat Traster, and Alice Frey officiating. Interment will follow at the Ulysses Cemetery in Ulysses, Kansas. Friends may call Friday, January 10, 2014 from 10:00 AM until 8:00 PM at Garnand Funeral Home in Ulysses, Kansas. Memorial contributions may be given to the First United Methodist Church of Ulysses in care of Garnand Funeral Home, 405 W. Grant Ave, Ulysses, KS 67880.