Mary Gerstner

Mary Carolyn Suther Gerstner, 75, Topeka, Kansas, died peacefully in her sleep Tuesday, January 25, 2022. Mary was born in Frankfort, Kansas on December 28, 1946, to Friedrich “Fred” August Suther and Freda Ann Tegeler Suther. Mary attended Kansas schools in Frankfort, Blaine, and Flush; she was one of four graduating from Flush High School in 1965. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Resources from Friends University in 1994. Mary was the youngest of seven children – Ralph Suther (deceased), Veronica “Vera” Strunk, Joseph “Joe” Suther, Gerald “Jerry” Suther, Sr., Elizabeth “Betty” Suther, and Sr. Eleanor Suther. Mary and Alvin Harvey Gerstner were married on August 14, 1965, in Blaine, Kansas. He survives. She had four children, eight grandchildren, and one great-grandchild: Damian (Mary Grace) Gerstner, Konigstein im Taunus, Germany, and their children, William, Ian and Micah; Jerrod (Jennifer) Gerstner, St. Louis, MO, and their children, Kevin, Angela, and Abby; Heath Gerstner (deceased); and Jenea (Roger) Chartier, Holton, KS, and their children, Elaine (Tyler) Dillner, and their son, Fritz, and Dalton Chartier. During her life, Mary was first a wife and mother, but held many other roles, artist, bus driver, entrepreneur, musician, stage director, and seamstress are just a few, but we must mention two of them in detail. For twelve years, Gerstner Drape & Specialties was Mary’s small business dedicated to making high-quality drapes and window-coverings meeting her customers’ needs. Her attention to detail not only made happy customers, but also set a standard of excellence that was a model for her family. From 1987, Mary was a public servant to the State of Kansas, working in several different agencies until her retirement from the Kansas Department of Commerce in 2012. One of her favorite accomplishments was the creation of a prominent display of the Truman Capote “In Cold Blood” murders at the Kansas Bureau of Investigation. Personal arts were always a part of her life. Mary was a musician, accompanist and vocalist in every Catholic parish she lived in. She routinely donated time playing piano at the Stormont-Vail Cancer Center. She developed plays and pageants for schools and communities in Kansas. Every time she wanted to learn a new way of cooking, making her own yarn, soaps, candles, jewelry etc., she became a great student and made products that were a joy to her friends and family. She helped dozens of family members get their life stories into real books. Visitation will be from 4 until 6 p.m. Monday, January 31, at Christ the King Catholic Church, where the rosary will be prayed at 6 p.m. p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Tuesday, February 1, at the Church. Inurnment will follow in Mount Calvary Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Midland Care Hospice, sent in care of Kevin Brennan Family Funeral Home, 2801 SW Urish Road, Topeka KS 66614. Condolences may be sent online to www.kevinbrennanfamily.com.

Mary Gerstner

December 28, 1946 - January 25, 2022