Mary Ann Petrie

Mary Ann (Niehues) Petrie, 83, of Topeka, Kansas, passed away peacefully on March 4, 2025, at Midland Hospice House in Topeka, surrounded by her family. Mary Ann was born on August 22, 1941, on the family farm near Golf, Kansas, to Bernard Albert and Alfreda Theresa (Kramer) Niehues Jr. She was the fourth of twelve children, the eldest daughter. Mary Ann graduated from Corning High School in 1959 while helping care for her younger siblings. She worked for the Kansas Department of Revenue for 47 years before retiring. Mary Ann was a member of Mater Dei Assumption Church for over 40 years. She volunteered for Hayden Bingo and was a coach and scorekeeper for several girls’ softball teams at Lake Shawnee. Mary Ann loved her family, especially her daughter, Sherry, and her son-in-law, Michael, as well as her granddaughters and step-grandchildren. She had unwavering faith and was known for praying rosaries and lifting others up in prayer. Mary Ann enjoyed genealogy, puzzles, history, the game show network, and spoiling her granddaughters and spending time with her family – and caring for them when in need. She was known to help anyone and was quick-witted. She often shared one-liners and stories up until the very end. Her legacy will be one of love, family, faith, courage, bravery and endurance. For every obstacle, Mary Ann stood taller. It was in these moments of adversity, she remembered and chose to live one of her father’s lessons “Can’t is not a word, it’s just an excuse for being lazy”. Mary Ann lived a productive, intentional, and simple life. She shared many lessons with Sherry and Michael while living in their home this last year. They cherished the wisdom, love, and spirit she brought into their home. Mary Ann was preceded in death by her parents, brothers, James “Jimmy” Niehues, Gerald “Jerry” Niehues, and Eugene “Gene” Niehues, as well as sisters, Velma Morris and Linda Annan, and step grandson, Gavin Francis. She is survived by her daughter, Sherry (Michael) Fitzgerald; granddaughters, Maura Fitzgerald and Kaitlyn Fitzgerald; step-grandchildren, Sarah Coulter, Jessica (Cory) Francis, and Justin (Emily) Fitzgerald; nine great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandson; and seven siblings, Lester (Betty) Niehues, Gladys (David) Rusche, Donna (John) Roach, Bernard (Sonny) (Helen) Niehues III, Virginia Broadbent, and Joseph (Judy) Niehues; sisters-in-law, D’Ann Niehues and Zana Niehues; and many cherished nieces (12); nephews (14); and godsons, Stephen Morris, Jason Broadbent, and Bradley Rusche. Family will greet friends from 3 to 4 p.m. Friday, March 14, at Kevin Brennan Family Funeral Home, 2801 SW Urish Road, Topeka KS 66614, where the rosary will begin at 4 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, March 15, 2025, at 10 a.m. at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, 6606 Atlantic Street, Corning, Kansas 66417. Burial will follow at St. Patrick’s Cemetery in Corning, Kansas. Memorial contributions may be made to Midland Hospice House or St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be sent online at www.kevinbrennanfamily.com

Mary Ann Petrie

August 22, 1941 - March 4, 2025