Mary R. Clawson, age 88, peacefully passed away on December 29, 2020, at the Meade District Hospital in Meade, Kansas. Mary, the first of four children, was born October 1, 1932 to Alfred (Fred) and Edna Lesh Collingwood. She grew up and attended schools in Johnson City, Kansas. She attended Baker University and upon graduation was employed as a physical education teacher in Independence and Liberal, KS. While living in Liberal, Mary competed in the Liberal Pancake Day Race. She won the race 3 consecutive years in a row (1957, 1958, 1959). Kirby Clawson from Gruver, Texas became an important part of Mary’s life and they were married March 19, 1960 in Johnson City. The majority of their over 60 years together was spent on a farm north of Satanta, Kansas raising crops, cattle, and most importantly, 6 children. In 2010, they moved to Plains, Kansas.
Mary was always involved in the communities where she lived. She was active in 4-H from her childhood, both locally and state wide. She served on many 4-H committees and was one of the Satanta Cloverleaf 4-H Club community leaders. She was also a member of Yo Club and the Satanta School Board. Being an active church member was important to Mary and she was always willing to donate her time and talents to whatever event was upcoming. Some of these events included teaching and attending Sunday school, attending Bible studies, helping with the annual quilt project, and making noodles for the annual church Bazaar. Mary was especially fond of her time as the UMW’s district treasurer. Business was important to Mary also, and she made time to serve on the Board of Directors of both Collingwood Grain (31 years) and the Plains State Bank (60 years).
Mary’s timeline was always her own and she was not to be hurried. Yet, all who knew her could tell that she was never too busy to take time to visit with family and friends. Also, she was always willing to share stories from her past and from the family history in hopes of sharing wisdom that she had learned.
Mary loved to garden and raise chickens. She involved all of her children and many of her grandchildren in her large gardening endeavors plus preserving and selling the results. Some of the foods she prepared that will long be remembered are her homemade noodles, peanut brittle, trail bars, cheesy hamburger spaghetti’os, and rolls. Mary had a serious side but was also very kind with a fun loving nature, which was demonstrated with the sharing of a good joke or one of the comics from the newspaper.
She is survived by her husband, Kirby, and children: Marilyn (Greg) Giles of Byers, KS; Dan (Tamra) Clawson of Meade, KS; David (Jeanne) Clawson of Englewood, KS; Kenby (Lana) Clawson of Satanta, KS, and Mary Beth (Brent) Woods of Plains, KS. Her grandchildren: Abby Giles, Betsy Giles, Matthew Giles, & Josiah Giles; Cooper (Leah) Clawson, Jacqueline Clawson, Walker Clawson, Gatlin Clawson, & Korben Clawson; Layne (Rachel) Clawson, Ann Clawson, & Carl Clawson; Kyla (Brady) Larson, Kendal Clawson, Kurtis (Paige) Clawson, & Kathryn (Corey) Spraggins; Adeline Woods, Emmett Woods, & Audy Woods; and 5 great grandchildren. She is also survived by her sisters, Cynthia (R.D.) Saunders of Gillette, WY, Martha (Gordon) Barnhardt of Bucklin, KS, and a host of other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, John Collingwood; son, Andrew Clawson; and granddaughter, Heidi Grace Clawson.
The family wants to thank everyone for all of their prayers and loving kindness. The family is very grateful for all the health care workers, especially the staff at the Meade District Hospital for their loving care for Mary and her family during her last days on earth.
A celebration of her life will be held at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, January 2, 2020, at the United Methodist Church, Plains, Kansas. Friends may call from 9:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. Friday at Fidler-Orme-Bachman Mortuary, Meade. Interment will follow the service at 3:00 p.m. Saturday at the Dudley Township Cemetery, Satanta, Kansas. Services will be live streamed on social media for those that wish to view the service from a distance. Video links will be available on the funeral homes website.
The family would welcome memorials suggested to the Plains United Methodist Church or the charity of the donor’s choice in care of the funeral home.
Personal condolences may be given to the family at www.fidlerormebachmanmortuary.com
