Mary Ann Emery

Mary Ann (Dinkel) Emery, Stockton, KS, passed away on December 30, 2021, at the Rooks County Health Center in Plainville, KS, at the age of 81. She was born on August 13, 1940, near Leoti, KS to Andrew and Helen (Bauck) Dinkel. She married Lyle "Shorty" Emery on March 28, 1957, during a blizzard, in Garden City, KS. They were blessed with five children: Vicky, Jeff, Connie, Kim, and Walt, their son by choice. Mary attended school through 9th grade in Goodland and Garden City before her marriage to Shorty. The couple moved around for Shorty's work until settling in Stockton in 1963. Mary was a foster mother to five of her nieces and nephews, bringing the family household up to 12 at one time – she was very good at keeping everyone assembled! Starting at age seven, Mary became a waitress in the family cafe and continued in the restaurant business throughout her life. She also wallpapered and did seamstress work. She managed the Little BB, which was a high school/junior high hang-out, in the winter, and the BB Dairy Inn/Park Drive-in Theatre in the summer. Mary belonged to VFW Auxiliary Post #8873, was a Den Mother of Boy Scout Troop #103, belonged to St. Thomas Catholic Church, Christian Mothers, and Altar Society, where she cooked for 30 years. Known as 'Gramma' or 'Granny' by many, all can attest to Mary’s huge heart that overflowed with love for family, friends, and neighbors – with an open-door policy, many enjoyed after-Prom breakfasts, Saturday night wrestling, and memories made in the kitchen. Mary loved Christmas; she decorated her home in Stockton continuously for 51 years. Mary is survived by her children: Jeffrey Emery (Jill) of Stockton, Walter Dinkel (Lisa Preston) of Oakley, KS, Victoria Peterson (David) of Stockton, Constance Yakish (Joe) of Hill City, KS, and Kimberly Arnold of Alton, KS; siblings: Barbara Stoecklein of Colby, KS and Frank Dinkel (Francis) of Garden City, KS; sister-in-law, Carol Dinkel of Huntsville, AL; 32 grandchildren; 40 great-grandchildren; and 7 great-great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her parents, Andrew and Helen Dinkel; husband, Lyle “Shorty” Emery; brothers, John Dinkel and Walter Dinkel; son-in-law, Steve Arnold; daughter-in-law, Terry Dinkel; and granddaughter, Angel Yakish. Mary not only tenderly cared for her beloved roses, but also her yard and other flowers. More importantly, she sowed the seeds of love and laughter into the lives of those closest to her. It was by this daily example of living that she taught us all what it truly means to love and care for one another and live every day grateful for the opportunity to humbly serve one another. Although we will miss her greatly, we rejoice that she is now reaping the bountiful harvest of her hard work and loving labor, in the company of her Lord, until we see her again. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, January 5, 2022, at 10:30 AM at St. Thomas Catholic Church in Stockton. Burial services will follow at the Catholic Cemetery in Stockton. Visitation will be Tuesday 2 PM until 8 PM with a Vigil and Rosary Service at 7 PM at the funeral home in Stockton. Memorials are suggested to St. Thomas Catholic Church or Rooks Co. Heath Center – Physical Therapy Dept and may be sent in care of Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home, 723 N. 1st, Stockton, KS 67669.