Mary was born in St. Joseph MO on September 21, 1928, to Carl and Louise (Rau) Siskey. She was the granddaughter of Frances (Boeh) and Rudolph Rau who owned Rau Floral in St. Joe and designed the local Krug Park.
Mary spent her early years in St. Joe, graduating from St. Mary’s Grade School in 1942 and Lafayette High School in 1946 where she was in numerous school plays, cheerleading, and a member of Sigma Phi Gamma Sorority. She worked as a Dental Assistant for Dr. Melvin Howard from 1946-1949. She was married to Everett F. White, Jr of St. Joseph from 1948 to 1978.
Mary and Everett moved to Kansas City, MO in October of 1949 and then to Overland Park in 1952. There they were blessed with four sons; Steven, Mark, Jeffrey, and Brian. They were members of Queen of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church, where all four boys attended grade school. Mary was very active in volunteering for the school and church; for the Legion of Mary, Alter and Rosary Society and St. Ann’s Circle. She loved to cook and sew but most of all she loved her children and grandchildren. Mary also worked as an Avon Rep from 1968-1975, a Merchandise Buyer at Montgomery Wards from 1977-1984, and at Kross Office Supply in 1987.
On May 1, 1982, she was married to Lewis B Anderson at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Shawnee, KS by Father Tony Lickeig. Lew added his seven grown children to the marriage making a full household. Lew was a B-24 pilot in WWII and after retiring they did a lot of traveling together, especially to the Army Air Corps Reunions. They were co-founders of Catholic Church of the Holy Cross in Overland Park and were very active in serving and volunteering there for St. Benedict’s Circle, Adoration Society and Catholic Charites for many years.
Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Carl and Louise Siskey; brothers, Rudolph (Rudy) Siskey and John (Jack) Siskey; first husband, Everett White Jr.; stepson, Matt Anderson; daughter-in-law, Sherri White (Steve); daughter-in-law, Peggy White (Mark); stepson, Mike Anderson, and her loving husband, Lewis B. Anderson.
She is survived by her four sons, Steven (Vivian) White, Mark White, Jefferey (Melissa) White, and Brian (Hilary) White; six stepchildren, Peter (Yan) Anderson, Tim (Evelyn) Anderson, Mark (Kris) Anderson, Stephanie (Terry) Andrews, and Stevana McCullough; 16 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
All services will be held at Church of the Holy Cross, 8311 W 93rd St, Overland Park, KS 66212, US, on August 17, 2026, Visitation at 9:30 am - 10:30 am, followed by the Rosary at 10:30 am, and the Mass of Christian Burial start at 11:00 am to 12:00 pm. Following Mass, a luncheon will take place at Church of the Holy Cross. At promptly 1:30 pm, there will be a funeral procession to Resurrection Catholic Cemetery 8300 Quivera Rd, Lenexa, KS 66215 for the graveside service.
Mary requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Church of the Holy Cross 8311 W. 93rd St, Overland Park, KS 66212 https://holycrossopks.org for the Women of Holy Cross which offers women the opportunities for spiritual growth, lasting friendship, and service to the parish community. Donations support its spiritual, social and charitable ministries, including funeral dinners, gatherings and parish hospitality.
