Mary Ann Maurath, age 99, died May 9, 2014 at the Logan County Manor in Oakley. She was born on January 25, 1915, rural Grainfield in Gove County, Kansas to Theodore and Regina (Heier) Ziegler.

Mary was in the middle of a family of thirteen children. After having four girls, Theodore and Regina finally had a son. Then two more girls!! As a result, Mary often found herself helping her father with the outside chores. She often shocked feed, helped with hauling hay, and other chores. This did not keep her from learning to crochet at about age fourteen. This became a lifelong passion and hobby of which she produced hundreds of beautiful doilies, tablecloths, doll clothes, afghans, and numerous other items.

Mary's parents spoke German in the home and so she did not learn to speak English until she entered grade school. She was able to speak German all her life and enjoyed speaking it. She attended the St. Elmo rural one room school which was close to their farm. The family attended the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Park; until later years when St. Agnes Catholic Church was built in Grainfield.

George and Mary were married on November 12, 1935 at St. Agnes Catholic Church in Grainfield. In 1940, they moved from the Grainfield area to Oakley where they purchased a farm to the south and west of town. They lived in the Oakley area for over 70 years. In 1972 they sold the farm and moved to Oakley. Mary worked at the Oakley Manor as a dietary cook for over 25 years. She loved to sew for her family and others as well. Another love of hers was to play cards. At one time she belonged to four card clubs at the same time!! She quilted with the Altar Society ladies and also belonged to the Daughters of Isabella.

She was preceded in death by her husband George (1995), her parents, Theodore and Regina, two infant daughters: Arlene and Mary; brothers Andrew, Pete, George, and Clement Ziegler, and sisters Regina, Lutgard, and Johanna Ziegler, Frances Selenke, Julia Kimmett, Catherine King, and Cecilia Butler.

Survivors include two sons: Clement Maurath of Woodstock, Illinois and Elmer (Pauline) Maurath of Oakley, four daughters: Beatta (Charles) Robben of Grinnell, Laura (Bill) Goetz of Oakley, LaVerna (Elmer) Hartman of Lakewood, Colorado, and Rosalee (Joe) Heskett of Colby, a sister, Rose Zimmerman of Oakley, 16 grandchildren, and 21 great grandchildren.

Funeral mass: 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, May 13, 2014 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Oakley with burial in St. Joseph Cemetery. Visitation: Monday, 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Kennedy-Koster Funeral Home with a rosary/wake service at 7:00 p.m. Memorials to the Logan County Manor and St. Joseph School in care of Kennedy-Koster Funeral Home, PO Box 221, Oakley 67748. www.kennedykosterfh.com