Mary Kathryn Ouellette

Mary Kathryn Ouellette, 74, of Washington, KS, died August 6, 2010 at the Washington County Hospital. A funeral service was held at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, August 11, at Ward Funeral Home in Washington. Pastor John Frey officiated. Dennis Portenier played the organ while Rick & Julie Tegethoff sang “Peace In The Valley”, “Rock of Ages” and “The Old Rugged Cross”. The pallbearers were grandchildren, Dawn Ray, Misty Craig, Derek Rippe, Sheldon Rippe, Crystal Moya, Ashley Diaz, Kyle Rippe, Randi Smith, Kobe Smith and Tyler Smith. The honorary pallbearers were great-granchildren, Johnathan Diaz, Ava Moya, Bryn Moya, Lathaniel Diaz, Carly Moya, Kolton Morse, Alizabeth Ray, Gentry Craig and Madelyn Ray. Burial was in the Washington City Cemetery. Mary was born May 30, 1936 at Wichita, KS, daughter of Marcellus Ray and Kathryn Irene (Lee) Eccles. She was baptized and confirmed, May 16, 1957 at Grace Lutheran Church in Eldorado, Kansas. Mary graduated from Clearwater High School at Haysville, Kansas in 1953. On April 16, 1955 she was married to Lawrence Rippe. They were blessed with 4 children, Ronnie, Malinda, Jimmy and Larry. She and Lawrence later divorced. On June 27, 1973 she was married to Herman Ouellette and they were blessed with a child, Angela. They later divorced. Mary worked as a waitress at the Happy Hour, was a Dietary Manager at the Homestead Nursing Home and worked as a CNA at the Linn Community Nursing Home until her retirement in 2006. She enjoyed watching the Price is Right, flowers, especially geraniums, and visiting with friends and family. She loved getting pictures and drawings from her grandchildren and great grand children and spending time with them. Her parents; brother, Don Eccles; and niece, Pam Schalck, preceded her in death. Survivors include five children, Malinda Morse and husband, Terry, Russell, KS, Ronnie Rippe, Midland, TX, Jimmy Rippe, Greenleaf, KS, Larry Rippe and wife, Pam, Odessa, TX, Angela Smith, Sioux City, IA; one brother, Dave Eccles and wife, Jean, Buena Park, CA; one sister, Sharon DeLaney and husband, Rob, Renton, WA; ten grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. A memorial fund has been established and will be designated at a later date. Contributions may be sent in care of Ward Funeral Home. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Mary Kathryn Ouellette, please visit our flower store.