Mary Louise (Rieger) Holt, 95, of  rural Highland, died Wednesday evening, April 22, 2015, at Mosaic Life Care in St. Joseph, MO.

She was born March 23, 1920, at her grandparent’s farm east of Fairview and was delivered by her grandfather.  She grew up and attended the Fairview schools, graduating with the class of 1939 as Valedictorian.  She attended one year of college (30 hours) from Emporia State Teachers College to earn a teaching degree.  She returned to the Fairview community where she taught at the one room schoolhouse called “New Hope” prior to teaching at the “Shore” country school before working at the Firestone Tire Store n Hiawatha.

She married Leonard Holt, October 20, 1946 at the Church of Christ in Fairview. She made her home on the Holt Farm west of Highland, Kansas where she and Leonard lived for 62 years.

They moved to the Apostolic Christian Home in Sabetha in 2008 prior to her moving to South Pines in Hiawatha in 2011.  Last year, she moved to Two Timbers in Highland, finally “going home.”

Mary was a member of the Bellevue United Methodist Church, and the PollyAnna Extension Unit in Highland.  She was a loving homemaker, and an avid reader.  She enjoyed quilting, sewing, knitting, crochet, and needlework.  She loved gardening, flowers, and traveling.  She belonged to the Traveling TP’s, Good Sams, Nemaha Nomads, and the Kansas and National Campers and Hiking Organization.  Mary and Leonard were Texas snowbirds for many years.

Mary is survived by three children:  Marvin (Linda) Holt of Hiawatha, Nancy (Al) Fuhrman of rural Severance, Mike (Susan) Holt of rural Highland; six grandchildren:  Jarred (Kassi) Fuhrman of Olathe, KS, Eric (Heather) Fuhrman of rural Denton, Kimberly (Kip) Peters of Platte City, MO, Steven (Jordan) Holt of Kansas City, Megan (Ray) Atlakson of rural Highland, Angela (Johnny) Longhurst of Perry, KS; four great-grandchildren:  Kennadi, Maxxwell, Allison, Henley; a sister Charlotte Dickinson of rural Hiawatha; a sister in law Glenda Rieger of rural Fairview; and an uncle Lesley Rieger.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents; Lloyd and Winnifred Rieger, husband Leonard in 2011, infant son Charles, a sister Kathryn Reece, and a brother Bernard Rieger.

A Celebration of Mary’s Life is planned for 2:30 Sunday, April 26, at the Bellevue United Methodist Church, north of Leona, with Pastor Jerry Petering officiating.  Burial will follow at Mt. Hope Cemetery, Hiawatha.

Friends may call at Chapel Oaks Funeral Home in Highland after 12 noon until 6 Saturday.  The family will meet with friends one hour prior to services Sunday at Church.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the Highland Library, Highland Food Pantry, or the Bellevue Church, which may be sent in care of the funeral home, PO Box 33, 66035.  A special message may be sent to the family at www.chapeloaksfuneralhome.com