Mary Carpenter Passes at Age 73

Wed, 06/15/2022 - 19:34

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Obituaries

Mary Kay Carpenter, 73, of North Loup, died on Saturday, May 21, 2022, at Tiffany Square Care Center, with family at her side.

Mary Kay’s life was celebrated on June 10, 2022 at Curran Funeral Chapel. Pastor Mark Hartley officiated. Contributions may be made to a charity of your choice or to a memorial fund to be determined later. Curran Funeral Chapel assisted the family.

Mary Kay was born on January 15, 1949 in Hays, Kansas. She was the daughter of Albert and Doris (Linenberger) Younger. She grew up in Victoria, Kansas, graduating from high school in 1967. Mary Kay owned and operated Town and County Café in Spearville, Kansas until moving to St. Paul in 1977. She was parts manager at St. Paul Equipment until 1990, when she moved to Grand Island, where she owned and operated The Costume Gallery for twenty-plus years. Mary Kay was a gifted seamstress. Her pride and joy were crafting costumes for the major productions of many schools and colleges throughout the state. She had an eye for style and could create unique pieces from new and repurposed items. She treasured the friendships formed while working with school theatre staff and students. She was an avid collector of vintage items and enjoyed bowling, golfing, and camping.

Mary Kay is survived by her beloved partner of twenty-seven years, Elwyne Myers of North Loup; daughters, Tammy Mattison of Topeka, Kansas, Tracy Strecker of Overland Park, Kansas, Thais Schmitz of Charlotte, North Carolina, and son, Todd Carpenter of Grand Island.

Others left to cherish her memory include her grandchildren, Paige (Matt) Simpson, Jett and Kort Mattison, Riley Carpenter, and Lola and Eva Schmitz; and great-granddaughter, Madden Simpson; brother, Marlin (Sue) Younger of Litchfield Park, Arizona; and sisters, Magdalen (Gregg) Pechanec of Hays, Kansas and Myra (George) Younger of Victoria, Kansas

Ṁary Kay is preceded in death by her parents, Albert and Doris Younger; infant brother, Michael Younger; and brother and sister-in-law, Mark and Twila Younger.