Martha is survived by her daughter, Mary Brigid Bauer, ( Matt) and three grandchildren, Michael, Malcolm, and Margaret, (Maggie Jo) Bauer to whom she was a devoted and cherished “Yia Yia”. She is also survived by her siblings Katie Wyrsch, Mary Ann Wyrsch, Betty Wilson, and Tom Wyrsch, as well as members of the extended Wyrsch and O’Connor families. She was preceded in death by her parents, Fred R. Wyrsch, Sr. and Catherine Wyrsch Cusick, her sister Margie Manning, and her brothers Fred and Gerry Wyrsch.
Martha was dear to every community of which she was a part. She loved and was proud of her daughter, her son-in-law, and grandchildren, being with them as much as she could, and being a supportive presence. She had long term friendships from all aspects of her teaching career that lasted until her death. She also took her energy and skills into her community, serving on the Prairie Village Parks and Recreation Board, and on the Prairie Village ADA Advisory Committee. She will be missed by her large extended family who all remember her as a beautiful, gentle soul. She will be particularly missed by her remaining four siblings, as they will no longer have their soft-spoken mediator among them.
A graduate of Visitation School, Loretto Academy and Southwest Missouri State University, Martha became a skilled and devoted vision teacher of children with special needs in the pre-school and early grade levels. She started down this path early in her working life at the Children’s Center for the Visually Impaired, and later as a vision teacher in the Shawnee Mission School District.
Many of Martha’s colleagues have noted her unique and valuable teaching skills, that she was known for: her patience; for taking extra time needed for her small charges; and for the innovative tools she developed to address each student’s specific needs. As an itinerant teacher, she met the children in their classrooms, their daycare centers, and in their homes. She was proud of the work she did helping the parents of her students learn skills to assist their children. She participated in a number of outreach workshops across the state, guiding teachers, therapists, and parents in early intervention strategies.
After meeting her students at a very young age and working with their families, Martha continued to follow their progress, often attending graduations, and other milestone events for them, even as they became young adults.
Martha was an organ donor. Her eyes have been donated and her family is so touched that this will continue to help those with vision issues, a fitting tribute to her life’s work.
Services for Martha will be held at the McGilley and Hoge Johnson County Memorial Chapel, 8204 Santa Fe Drive, in Overland Park, KS on May 28, 2026. Visitation will be from 1 to 3 pm, followed by a service at 3 pm.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the KC Blind All-Stars at www.kcblindallstars.org. This website will allow donations in Martha’s name, which will then be directed to early enrichment programs for children. Those not using the web may send donations in Martha’s name to KC Blind All-Stars, 1100 State Avenue, Kansas City, Kansas 66102.
