Mary Frances Straight
February 18, 1912 — March 20, 2003
Mary Frances Wyse Straight of Eureka, died at Medicalodge of Eureka on Thursday, March 20, 2003 at the age of 91.
She was born on February 18, 1912, at a whistle stop near Riverside, California, where her father was the foreman for railroad workers. She moved to Kansas with her parents, William and Mary Wyse, and her younger sister, Wilma, when she was three years old.
Mary was raised in Yates Center where she remained for a number of years. Upon passing the required examination, Mary became a schoolteacher in Woodson County, and taught for a period of four years. Thereafter, she was appointed to the position of City Clerk by the Yates Center City Council, and held that office for many years. While employed as City Clerk, Mary met and married George Shukers Straight of Eureka, and she and her daughter, Frances June “Pat” Lopp, moved from Yates Center to Eureka. The union of Mary and George produced three children: Stephen, Tony, and Kathleen.
Mary attended Kansas State Teachers College (now Emporia State University), studying literature, language (Latin and Spanish), and music (piano and organ). She was a member of the Roman Catholic Church, and provided organ music for Mass and special services at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Eureka for many years.
She belonged to the Music Club of Eureka for a number of years, performing the piano as a soloist, accompanist, and in ensemble. She shared her love for music with her children, grandchildren, and numerous piano students from the Eureka area. She enjoyed oil painting, and was especially fascinated with creating paintings in shades of blue. She participated in, and eventually taught the Menninger Bible Study course in Eureka for a number of years.
Mary was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, her sister, one son, Stephen Khersten Straight; and one stepson, George B. Straight.
She is survived by her children, Frances June “Pat” Lopp Chester of Eureka, Anthony Kay Straight of California, M. Kathleen Straight of Eureka; her step children, Sue Straight Pryor of Wichita, Wilma Leigh Straight Lewis of Montgomery, Texas, Betty Straight Taylor of Dallas, Texas; four grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
She was born on February 18, 1912, at a whistle stop near Riverside, California, where her father was the foreman for railroad workers. She moved to Kansas with her parents, William and Mary Wyse, and her younger sister, Wilma, when she was three years old.
Mary was raised in Yates Center where she remained for a number of years. Upon passing the required examination, Mary became a schoolteacher in Woodson County, and taught for a period of four years. Thereafter, she was appointed to the position of City Clerk by the Yates Center City Council, and held that office for many years. While employed as City Clerk, Mary met and married George Shukers Straight of Eureka, and she and her daughter, Frances June “Pat” Lopp, moved from Yates Center to Eureka. The union of Mary and George produced three children: Stephen, Tony, and Kathleen.
Mary attended Kansas State Teachers College (now Emporia State University), studying literature, language (Latin and Spanish), and music (piano and organ). She was a member of the Roman Catholic Church, and provided organ music for Mass and special services at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Eureka for many years.
She belonged to the Music Club of Eureka for a number of years, performing the piano as a soloist, accompanist, and in ensemble. She shared her love for music with her children, grandchildren, and numerous piano students from the Eureka area. She enjoyed oil painting, and was especially fascinated with creating paintings in shades of blue. She participated in, and eventually taught the Menninger Bible Study course in Eureka for a number of years.
Mary was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, her sister, one son, Stephen Khersten Straight; and one stepson, George B. Straight.
She is survived by her children, Frances June “Pat” Lopp Chester of Eureka, Anthony Kay Straight of California, M. Kathleen Straight of Eureka; her step children, Sue Straight Pryor of Wichita, Wilma Leigh Straight Lewis of Montgomery, Texas, Betty Straight Taylor of Dallas, Texas; four grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
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