Mary Ann Barstow Severance

Mary Ann Barstow Severance, age 80, went home to be with the Lord Thursday, June 5, 2025. It is special to her children that she passed away on what would have been her 59th wedding anniversary to their father Alan. She was born June 24, 1944 in Perryton, Texas to George and Mary (Biggart) Henry.

Mary Ann attended Esbon Rural High school, receiving her diploma in 1963. She graduated in 1967, from Bethany College in Lindsborg, Kansas, where she met her first husband, Alan Barstow. Alan started teaching after college while Mary Ann taught piano lessons. They moved from Ness City to Ellsworth, then to Kiowa, where Mary Ann gave birth to her first two children. Finally they settled in Beloit and it was during this time they had two more children. They were active in the Beloit United Methodist Church. Mary Ann directed the choir there. It wasn't uncommon for the Barstow children to wake up on a Sunday morning to the sound of Mom and Dad practicing a duet at the piano. During her time in Beloit, Mary Ann spent a number of years teaching music in the Jewell and Randall school district. However, her most enjoyable endeavor was running a daycare out of her home, which Alan joined her in, after his retirement.

Eventually they moved to Wichita to be closer to their children and grandchildren. Music continued to be a big part of Mary Ann's life. A highlight for Mary Ann in Wichita was singing with the Emerald City Chorus. Her first husband, Alan Barstow passed away in 2006. In 2012, Mary Ann tied the knot with Robert Severance of Beloit. They were involved in the Beloit United Methodist Church, and active in the community. They also enjoyed time together at the NCK Wellness Center.

She is preceded in death by her parents, George B. and Mary E. Henry and her brother, George Henry.

Mary Ann is survived by her husband, Robert Severance; her son, Todd (Frances) Barstow; daughters: Melissa (Chris) Elsen, Belinda (Chris) Wenzlaff and Christina Barstow (Mario Collins); grandchildren: Kaitlin (Tier) Miles, Theo Barstow, and Ricky Elsen; six Wenzlaff children: Gracia, Annabelle, Boaz, Jachin, Gloria, and Abigail (Philip) Sidwell; and great-grandchildren, Uriah and Moses Sidwell.

A Memorial service will be held Friday, June 13, 2025 at 10:30 AM at Beloit Methodist Church, 801 N. Bell St., Beloit, KS 67420 with a Graveside service to follow at 3:30 PM at Larned Cemetery, 30th NE Trail St., Larned, KS 67550.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations can be made in Mary Ann's honor to Beloit Methodist Church, 801 N. Bell St., Beloit, KS 67420 - facebook.com/p/Beloit-Methodist-Church or TLC Barefoot School, 100 Airport Ave E, Venice, FL 34285 - tlcbarefootschool.org.