Mary Frances Bleyenberg, age 91 passed away at North Kansas City Hospice on Thursday, April 24th in the early evening with her husband and children by her side. She developed shingles 7 years ago and remained strong, positive, and kind throughout her battle. The family carried out her wishes of donating her body to KU Medical center.
Mary was born in her family home at 501 Kensington in KC MO and the family later relocated to St John and Hardesty. Her parents ran a small grocery store where they lived upstairs. Budd Park was across the street where she spent many hours playing. She enjoyed spending her time outside with her sisters. She had many fond memories of living there. She attended Holy Cross Grade School. The family then moved to Independence, MO a few years later. Her family raised a variety of animals including chickens, a pig, goats, and a horse. She recalled a big creek they had and her and her sisters would make homemade paper dolls, put them in a shoebox in the creek and let them sail away. She attended St. Ann's Grade School and St. Mary's High School. Mary worked for awhile as a secretary for the parish priest at St. Stephens Catholic Church and she also worked at Butler Manufacturing as a secretary.
Her favorite season was Spring and she loved flowers and gardening. Her and her husband Augie traveled all across the world together. They went to Hawaii, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, California, Branson, though her favorite journey was to Israel. She had so many friends of all ages. She was a great listener. She listened with understanding instead of judgment.
She kept a prayer journal for 20 yrs with prayer requests from others and herself and would note when the prayers were answered. She loved the Lord and it is through Jesus that she now lives in heaven and is no longer suffering. She shared at the very end that she was not afraid to die and was excited about seeing all her loved ones and friends. Her journey doesn't end here. Death is just another path, one that we all must take.
She leaves behind her family whom she loved deeply. Her husband of 50 yrs, August Bleyenberg. Michael Van Kirk, Debbie Zuniga (Paul) Jerry Van Kirk (Gayla) Richard Van Kirk (Aracely) Buddy Bleyenberg (Chris) Sister, Janet Haynes (Richard). She had 23 Grandchildren and 21 Great Grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Gertrude Sullivan. Sister, Doris Forbes. Sister, Pat Hisey. Her son, Thomas (Moose) Van Kirk. Daughter-in-law, Cheri Van Kirk and her Granddaughter, Becky Van Kirk
A visitation for Mary will be held Friday, May 9, 2025 from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM at Sherwood Bible Church, 4900 N Norton Ave, Kansas City, MO 64119, followed by a memorial service at 3:00 PM.
