Mary is survived by her 4 children, Maureen Gunderson (Daniel), Nancy Ellis (Roger Otis), Roberta Carrillo (Fr. Tony), and James Lewis (Nancy), her sister Kitty Lou Rusher, and brother Harvey Steen (Ila), her grandchildren, Jennifer Varner, Chris Davis, Justin Rogers, Lindsay Lewis, and Michael Lewis, and 4 great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents Harriet and Forrest Steen, her brother Russell Steen, granddaughters, Gina and Theresa D’Amico, and by her husbands, Robert Lewis, Enfred Faulk, and Merlin Kieborz.
Mary grew up on a farm outside Hinsdale, Montana. She enjoyed her childhood years there with her 2 brothers, Russell and Harvey. They moved to Hinsdale when it was time for her to go to high school. Her sister, Kitty Lou was born in town. After she graduated high school, she moved to Portland, Oregon in 1941 where she attended business school and worked at Montgomery Ward. She met her first husband, Bob at the Rose Parade and fell instantly in love. They married in October 1941. Bob was in the Air Force. They moved several times and while in Texas, she gave birth to her first child, Maureen. In 1944, he was discharged and they ended up in Arizona in 1946. There 3 more children came along, Nancy, Roberta and Jim.
Mary had been a resident of the valley since 1946. She was a stay at home mom until 1970, when her first husband, Bob Lewis passed away after 29 years together. She still had two children at home, so she learned to drive and went to school and took accounting courses. She worked at U-Haul in the payroll department for 16 years. She remarried in 1977, to Enfred Faulk and got 3 grown step children out of the deal, Todd Keene, John Keene and Dennis Keene. She also got many step grandchildren too. They had 20 happy years together until he passed away in 1997. By then she had retired and was enjoying her grown children and grandchildren. In 1998, she married, Merlin Kieborz. He had lost his wife Irene, of 59 years. She and Merlin eloped and were married at the court house by a judge who wouldn’t take any payment. He said he was “thrilled to do it.” Not only did she get a wonderful husband, she also got 6 step-children, Connie Sikkema, Dean Kieborz, Roger Kieborz, Ruth Wray, Sona Scott and Nancy Lewis and many more grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren. More step-grandchildren were added over the years. She and Merlin had 10 wonderful years together before his death in 2008.
Mary was very active and loved to sew and do crafts. She created handmade dolls and beautiful wreaths. Her favorite thing to do was crochet. She always had yarn and crochet needles at hand. She made many crocheted gifts to give away instead of giving greeting cards.
Mary had a wonderful life and was deeply loved by her family. She was an inspiration to us and taught us to be loving, honest, hardworking Christians. We all will miss her greatly!
Family and friends are invited to a visitation being held on Saturday, May 18, 2019 from 9-10 AM at West Resthaven Funeral Home, 6450 W. Northern Ave. in Glendale, funeral service to follow at 10 AM. Mary will be laid to rest at Resthaven Park Cemetery.
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