Mary was born on February 25, 1950, in Kansas City, Missouri, to the late Joseph and Helen (Raysik) Schulte Sr.
Mary first met Darrell Kieff in the fifth grade in 1960 at Nativity Catholic school in Independence. Their friendship grew into a lasting love, and they began dating in 1966 while both were working at the Golden Point hamburger drive-in. Mary and Darrell were married on October 24, 1967. Mary graduated from Van Horn High School in 1968. Together, Mary and Darrell shared nearly 59 years of marriage.
Throughout her life, Mary worked a variety of jobs through the years, finally retiring from Mid-Continent Public Library. Her most important and cherished roles were being a spouse to Darrell and mother to Steven and Karen. Mary had a great love for animals; she always extended her family to include at least a dog and/or cat. She found great happiness in bringing joy to others and especially loved welcoming her family and friends into her home for holiday dinners and family gatherings. She also enjoyed reading and treasured the time she spent shopping and finding bargains with Karen. She enjoyed her flower gardens and Darrell helped bring her designs and plantings to life.
Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Helen Schulte Sr.; her brother, Joseph Jr.; her sister, Barbara; and her daughter-in-law, Rhonda Kieff.
Mary is survived by her loving husband, Darrell Kieff; her children, Steven Kieff (fiancée, Kim Pham, and her children, Kai and Kenna Hong) of Houston, Texas and Karen Kieff of Independence, Missouri; her sister, Sharon Thompson (Rick), of Stover, Missouri; her brother, Hank Schulte, of Laurie, Missouri and many other relatives and friends who will miss her dearly.
A memorial service celebrating Mary’s life will be held at noon on Saturday, October 17, 2026, at Independence First United Methodist Church, 400 W. Maple Avenue, Independence, Missouri. The family will receive friends beginning at 11:30 AM. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages memorial donations to the American Cancer Society.
