Mary Jane Zabel, 85, passed away Monday, August 19, 2024, at Smith Center Heath and Rehab, Smith Center, Kansas.
Mary Jane was born on August 9, 1939, on the family farm west of Gaylord, Kansas, the daughter of Edward and Minnie (Gemaehlich) Henning. She attended school in Gaylord and graduated in 1957. On August 24, 1958, she married Loren R. Zabel at Christ Lutheran Church, Gaylord, Kansas. To this union they were blessed with three children, Katherine, Ronald and Greg.
Mary Jane was a member of the St. John Lutheran Church, Athol. She enjoyed making quilts and sewing clothes for her kids. She loved to garden and always had a large vegetable garden at the farm each year. She always loved to help her husband Loren on the farm. She helped irrigate, move cattle, run to town for parts and cook during harvest.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Loren in January of 2021 and a son Ron in December of 2017.
Mary Jane is survived by a daughter, Katherine Main of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma; a son, Greg Zabel of Gaylord; a sister, Betty Caspers of Gaylord; eight grandchildren, James, Loren, Sarah, Lindsey, Kiley, Kody, Logan and Seth; and six great-grandchildren, Nadja, Calahan, Juliette, Silvia, Clifton and Lena.
A celebration of Mary Jane's life will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, August 31, 2024, at St. John Lutheran Church, 20012 J. Road, Athol, Kansas, with Pastor Dave Kramer officiating.
The inurnment will take place in the Gaylord Cemetery, Gaylord, Kansas.
There will not be a public visitation as cremation was chosen.
Memorials may be given to the St. John Lutheran Church and can be sent in care of All Faiths Funeral Chapel, 113 S. Madison St., Smith Center, KS 66967.