Mary Jane (Herrington) Vondra

GENESEO

  Mary Jane Vondra, 92, passed away Saturday, January 18, 2025 in Salina, KS. She was born February 6, 1932 in Kanopolis, KS to L.M. “Hank” and Helen (Hysell) Herrington. Mary Jane married Leon Peterson on February 24, 1951. Following Leon’s passing in 1971, she married Frank Vondra on August 5, 1977. Frank preceded her in death in 2013. Mary Jane attended the Geneseo United Methodist Church for many years and was a member of the United Methodist Women’s group. She was also a member of the Kanopolis then Geneseo American Legion Auxiliary. She spent many years working in school cafeterias in Salina and Geneseo, but her most important and most prideful job was, farmwife.

  Mary Jane is survived by her children, Cheryl Minnis of Missouri, Kathy J. Gross of Michigan, Scott A. Peterson (Deb Hall) of Gypsum, KS, Joyce Newsom-Peterson of Andover, Frank D. Vondra (Jeri) of Little River, KS, Daniel Vondra of Kanopolis, KS, Kathy Kruse of Salina, Kristi G. Rohn of Ellsworth, KS, and Kevin W. Vondra of Salina. She is also survived by 23 grandchildren and many great grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Laurie and Sharon Herrington; and brother-in-law David Bircher. She was preceded in death by her parents; siblings, Marilyn Obermeyer, Norman “Chug” Herrington, Helen Tewes, William Herrington, and Nancy Bircher; husbands, Leon Peterson and Frank Vondra; and children, Judith Peterson Lawless, Kenneth E. Peterson, and Steven K. Vondra.

  A private family memorial graveside service will take place at a later date at Roselawn Memorial Park Cemetery, Salina.

  In lieu of plants and flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Geneseo United Methodist Church, c/o, Parsons Funeral Home, PO Box 45, Ellsworth, KS 67439.

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