Mary Whaley Knust

Mary Ann Whaley Kunst, 95, of Corsicana Texas, formerly of Surprise Arizona, passed away on Friday, July 26, 2024. She was born on October 9, 1928, in Howells, Nebraska, to the late Rudolph & Emma Micek.

Mary was a graduate of Howells High School, where she was Valedictorian of her class. She was extremely smart, earning a full scholarship to the University of Nebraska. She declined the scholarship and opted to attend nursing school instead, which was the start of a rewarding and successful lifelong career. Following nursing school, Mary first worked for an ophthalmologist before working at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Omaha. She was an obstetrics nurse for nearly 50 years. She was passionate about caring for others with her impressive bedside manner and love for her patients.

Mary was a very creative person, who could do nearly everything. She was a talented artist who enjoyed painting, knitting, sewing and crocheting. Even in the kitchen, Mary’s creativity flourished. She was an adventurous cook with a collection of cookbooks, and even published her own cookbook for her family.

Mary had a quiet and generous spirit. She was gentle and kind and was a friend to so many over the years. Mary loved entertaining at her home. She loved to shop and spent many hours later in life shopping with her friends in Arizona. More than anything, Mary adored her family. She enjoyed and cherished over 50 years of marriage to Jim Whaley whom she built a life and family with. Mary was a devoted mother to Kathy, Chris, and Tom, and delighted in caring for and supporting them. Being a grandma meant everything to Mary, as she loved spending time with her seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Mary was blessed again to be married a second time by reconnecting with an old friend, Mel Kunst, at her 50 year high school reunion. They married and spent 9 beautiful years together. Mary leaves a lasting legacy of love, kindness, and devotion and will be greatly missed by all who loved and knew her.

In addition to her parents, Mary was preceded in death by her daughter, Kathy Laudon; three sisters, and one brother. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Chris & Bob Schell of Corsicana, Texas; son and daughter-in-law, Tom & Margie Whaley of Carrollton, Texas; son-in-law, Jeff Laudon of Council Bluffs, Iowa; grandchildren, Sarah & Jason Holder of Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey; Anne Schell of Dallas, Texas; Benjamin Schell of Dallas, Texas; Amanda & Marc Thiebeult of Austin, Texas; Leah Whaley of , Garmisch Germany; Megan Laudon of Omaha Nebraska, and Katie Laudon of Council Bluffs, Iowa; great-grandchildren, Jack Holder, Audrey Holder, Rosalie Thiebeult, and Alex Laudon.

A memorial mass will be held on Tuesday, September 3 at 10 AM at Immaculate Conception Church, 3000 W State Highway 22, Corsicana, Texas 75110. Memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society.