Mary Catherine Mertes Obituary
It is with deep sorrow that we announce the death of Mary Catherine Mertes in Wichita, Kansas, who passed away on February 21, 2025, at the age of 87, leaving to mourn family and friends. Leave a sympathy message to the family in the guestbook on this memorial page of Mary Catherine Mertes to show support.
She was predeceased by: her parents, William R. O'Donnell and Laura A. O'Donnell (Garland); her siblings, William "Bill" O'Donnell (Dorothy) of Thomas Joseph and Ann Gilmer; and her son James Tobias Mertes (Toby).
She is survived by: her husband John J.; her children, Mary Therese Wescott (Mike), Mary Patricia Hesse (Matt), Mary Margaret Ann Knoff (Jimmy), Mary Jane Frances Schlapp (Andy), Mary Elizabeth Ferraro (Claudio), John Christopher Mertes (Kristine), Mary Ellen Wilhelm (Paul) and Mary Eileen Russell (Todd); her brother Jim O'Donnell (Rose); and her siblings-in-law, Marcia O'Donnell and Ken Gilmer. She is also survived by 31 grandchildren; 39 great grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A vigil service will be held on Friday, February 28th 2025 from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the Church of the Magdalen Catholic Church (12626 E 21st St N, Wichita, KS 67206). A Mass of Christian burial will be held on Saturday, March 1st 2025 at 10:00 AM at the Church of the Magdalen (12626 E 21st St N, Wichita, KS 67206).
A memorial has been established with the Friends of Father Philip Allen Seminary Burse and the St. Katharine Drexel Catholic School Fund, both at The Catholic Diocese of Wichita, 424 N. Broadway, Wichita, KS 67202 or online at https://catholicdioceseofwichita.org in care of Downing & Lahey East Mortuary.
