Mary Theresa (Levendofsky) Michels, 94, met the Lord on Wednesday, February 21, 2024, at Lawrence Memorial Hospital, Lawrence, Kansas. She was born January 29, 1930 in the St. Joseph Hospital in Concordia, Kansas. Mary was born the fourth of seven children to Frank and Ella Levendofsky of rural Belleville, Kansas. She was baptized at St. Edwards Catholic Church in Belleville, Kansas and was presently a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Clifton, Kansas. She was raised on a farm six miles Northwest of Belleville, Kansas until she married Marvin C. Michels on June 6, 1953.
She taught school in Milner, Springhill, Munden, and Clifton-Clyde, Kansas, elementary districts. She retired in May of 1993 after teaching 41 years. After retirement she continued substitute teaching for an additional 26 years, until the age of 89. She received her BS and MS degrees from Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kansas. She moved to Lawrence, Kansas in December of 2019.
Mary was preceded in death by her father and mother, Frank and Ella (Hurley) Levendofsky; husband Marvin C. Michels; brother Lawrence and wife Gladys Levendofsky, brother Francis and wife Iolene Levendosfky, brother George Levendofsky, brother John Levendofsky; brothers-in-law Dale Michels, Leonard and wife Mae Prellwitz, Edwin Scofield; sister-in-law Harriet Levendofsky; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Carl and Ester (Orter) Michels.
Left to mourn are her three sons; Greg and wife Lea, Larry and wife Diane, and Scott and wife Marilyn; eleven grandchildren; Stephen and wife Julane Michels, Ashley and husband Marcus Herrera, Morgan Michels and partner Nicholas Holmes, Chantel Clock, Ryan and wife Natalie Michels, Caleb and wife Abi Michels, Matthew Michels and fiance Rachael Terry, Cara Michels, Faith Michels, Tyler and wife Melissa Michels, and Bethany and husband Lucas Fornelli; fifteen great-grandchildren; Stephen Michels, Maxton Herrera, Myers Herrera, Isla Herrera, Hazel Holmes, Jasmine Clock, Jaden Clock, Braden Michels, Weston Michels, Colt Michels, Piper Michels, Lane Michels, Jewel Michels, Ruby Michels, and Brooks Fornelli; sister Ellen Scofield, brother Paul Levendofsky, and sister-in-laws Fayrene Levendofsky, Marilyn Levendofsky, and Mitzi Michels.
She will be missed by her family, nieces, nephews, cousins, neighbors and her precious friends. Mary had a happy childhood where she learnt to work hard, be a respectful person, and developed her very big personality. Throughout her life she enjoyed gardening, cooking, her sons sports, and church. Many people knew Mary by the name, Meme, which she obtained from her niece. She had a loving married life of 55 years which included three boys. She loved raising her boys and seeing them learn to make their lives what they are today with their families. She was most proud of this, being a Mom.
Visitation will be held from 5-7PM on Friday, March 1, 2024 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Clifton, Kansas. There will be a vigil service at 7PM.
Funeral services will be held at 10AM on Saturday, March 2, 2024 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Clifton, Kansas. Interment will be at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers the family request memorial contributions to be made to St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Clifton, Kansas and/or Clifton Ball Association, Clifton, Kansas, can be sent in care of the funeral home, 918 7th St. Clay Center, Kansas 67432.
