ST. JOHN — Mary Ann Heyen, 83, was called home to heaven on Aug. 16, 2020 at her home surrounded by her family. She will be welcomed by her late husband, Meryle. Born March 15, 1937 to Jim (postmaster in St John) and Jennie Owen (teacher in Missouri) in Great Bend, Kan. during a snow storm. Her grandfather, C.A. Brown, donated a tract of land which is now known as the baseball park, swimming pool, shelter house, football field and Brown Park.
Mary Ann graduated in 1957 from St John High School, a 5th generation graduate. After high school Mary Ann went to college in Emporia, Kan. and Gulf Port, Miss. and studied nursing. In college she loved fencing and won many medals and trophies for her efforts. Mary Ann loved life and in the summer of 1956 worked at the North Pole in Colorado, at their grand opening as “Little Bo Peep” and an elf.
She married Meryle Heyen on Oct. 18, 1958 at the Methodist Church in St. John. Later she and Meryle joined the Church of Christ in Stafford. She belonged to the Modern Homemakers in Stafford, Great Bend Petroleum Club, she was a 50 year member (Golden Girl) of PEO in St. John, and was a member of numerous bridge clubs in St. John, Stafford, Great Bend, and Woodland Park, Colo..
Her hobbies were rock gathering in the mountains, estate and garage sales, collecting cut glass, old fruit jars, and barb wire. She loved going to Cripple Creek with her bridge friends and her niece Cappy and Sam. The love of her life besides Meryle were her dogs and great-grandchildren.
Survived by daughter Brenda Heyen of St John; grandchildren Erika Bebee and companion, Derek Jones, and Jaime Heyen. Great grandchildren Jadance Heyen, Jakobus “Kobi” Heyen, Elvin Jones, Colt Heyen and Remington Becker all of St John. Extended grandchildren, Leah Getty (Kip Ward, spouse), Travis Getty (Jamie Getty, spouse) and Heath Getty all of St John. Extended great grandchildren Hunter, Colton, and Addi Ward, Reese Getty, and Shyanna Rittel. She was proceeded in death by her parents, Jim and Jennie Owen; brothers, Jimmy Phelps and Jack Brown Owen; three great grandchildren, Noah, Bjorn, and Luka and extended son Leonard Getty.
Visitation will be held from noon to 9 p.m., Friday, Aug. 21, 2020, at Bryant Funeral Home, with family to receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Funeral services will be held Saturday, Aug. 22, 2020, at 2 p.m., at Bryant Funeral Home, located at 1425 Patton Road, Great Bend, Kansas. Graveside services will follow in St. John. Memorials are suggested to the Great Grandchildren’s Education Fund, in care of Bryant Funeral Home. Condolences may be sent and notice viewed at www.bryantfh.net.
Funeral arrangements provided by
Bryant Funeral Home
1425 Patton Road
Great Bend, Kansas 67530
Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Aug. 21, 2020
