Mary Claassen

Mary passed away April 29, 2022 in Flower Mound, Texas just 10 days after her 90th birthday. She was born April 19, 1932 in Springfield, Missouri to Paul Hamilton and Mavis Gates Hamilton. She was later blessed with four brothers. They lived on a farm, but she was very much a "city girl." She was a majorette at Strafford High School in Strafford, MO. She married Charles Robards in 1951 and they had three daughters, Lynne, Linda and LuAnn. They later divorced.

She married Abe Claassen in 1983 and gained three sons and daughters-in-law. They enjoyed many years of traveling the country in their RV. Her most memorable trips were to Washington DC, Alaska and Canada. Mary was a member of First Church of the Nazarene and made many wonderful friendships through their Sunday School class. Mary graduated from Wichita Business College and worked at Paul Revere Life Insurance Company for 20 years. She later worked for the Sedgwick County District Attorney's Office until she retired.

Mary's greatest joy was being with her family. She loved cooking scrumptious meals and made the best sugar cookies and "muddy buddies" at Christmas for all her grandchildren. She would mail each out-of-town grandchild their own box of treats for them to enjoy before they arrived at her house for Christmas festivities. There were many leftovers from every feast, and often another "forgotten" dish in the garage fridge. She had a huge "green thumb" and enjoyed working in their flower and vegetable gardens every year. Mary was a very kind soul, a loving lady, a devout Christian, and extremely proud of her family. We take comfort knowing she is in now in Heaven with her Lord and Savior. There will never be another "Grammy" like her, and we will cherish all of our good times and memories she provided to our family.

In addition to her parents, Mary was preceded in death by her husband Abe, daughter Linda Robards and brother David Hamilton. Mary is survived by her brothers George Hamilton, Springfield, MO; Robert Hamilton, Springfield, MO; and John Hamilton, Mission, KS; her daughters, Lynne (Jay) Shorney of Denton, TX and LuAnn (Dave) Bixby of Boise, ID; Stepsons Steve (Nancy) Claassen of Wichita; Stan Claassen of Colorado Springs, CO; and Rodney (Sondra) Claassen of Lincoln, KS; grandchildren Jason (Kat) Shorney; Justin (Maggie) Shorney; Mindi (Leonel) Tapia; Brandon (Jaleen) Claassen, Daryl Claassen; Christopher Claassen; Preston (Claire)Mossman and their daughter Holly; great-grandchildren Kyla and Knox Shorney, Marek Shorney, Olive Tapia, and Brady, Elias, Juliet and Pepper Claassen.
Visitation is scheduled for Thursday, May 5, 2022 from 6:00-8:00 pm at Broadway Mortuary, 1147 S. Broadway St., Wichita, KS. A private graveside service will be held Friday, May 6, 2022. Services by Broadway Mortuary.