Mary Catherine Korte

Mary Catherine Korte, 96, passed away Friday, August 19, 2022 at Lawrence Memorial Hospital. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, August 26, 2022, at Corpus Christi Catholic Church. A Rosary recitation beginning at 9:00 a.m. will be followed by visitation from 9:30 to 10:30. Burial will take place at Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery in Emporia, KS later that day.

Mary was born on September 9, 1925, in Emporia, KS, the daughter of Joseph and Christina (Bunk) Heffron.

She attended Emporia schools, and following graduation from high school, moved to Needles, CA to help with the war effort and began her career as a clerk for the Santa Fe Railroad. Following the war, she returned to her hometown. Her career with the Santa Fe spanned 39 years until her retirement in 1987.

On May 13, 1948, she married Anthony A. (Tony) Korte in Emporia, KS. They lived in Emporia until 1957 when they moved to Arkansas City, KS. Mary and Tony raised seven children in Arkansas City and were active in their community. They enjoyed 55 years of marriage until Tony’s death in 2003. Mary enjoyed watching sports, playing tennis, and after retirement, became active in golf. She was a member of Sacred Heart Altar Society and the Spring Hill Ladies Golf Association. She was well known for her cinnamon rolls, which were featured at church bazaars. Upon turning 90, in order to be closer to her family, Mary moved to Brandon Woods retirement community in Lawrence, KS. There she thoroughly enjoyed her new apartment, new found friends and activities.

Survivors include her children, Stephen (Judy, Windsor CO) Korte, Branson MO, Gary (Karen) Korte, Windsor CO, Nancy (Don) Tarwater, Leawood KS, Timothy (Mary) Korte, Rolla MO, Mark (Chanin) Korte, Olathe KS, Kathleen (Grant) Larkin, Lawrence KS, Christopher (Sheri) Korte, McKinney TX, seventeen grandchildren, eighteen great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to her husband, Mary was preceded in death by her siblings, Joseph Heffron Jr., John Heffron, Mildred O’Mara and Barbara Jean Bradshaw, as well as two grandsons, Sean Korte and Jonathan Korte.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Mary’s name to Brandon Woods ERC Fund or Sacred Heart Catholic Church Cemetery Fund and may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary, 120 W. 13th Street, Lawrence, KS 66044.