Mary Mardell Grable, 84, of Osage Beach, Missouri, formerly of the Vermillion, Kansas area, died on Wednesday, September 5, 2012 at Lake Regional Health System in Osage Beach, Missouri.

Mary was born on November 20, 1927, along with her twin, Margaret, to Enoch and Emma Hurtie. She graduated from Frankfort High School in Frankfort, Kansas.

On August 24, 1946 she married Maurice Grable in Centralia, Kansas. Mary was a homemaker while her husband worked as a barber in Wathena, Kansas. She later worked for Rileys & Moskau grocery stores, Southwestern Bell and AT&T, where she was recognized for being an outstanding phone operator.

Mary and Maurice retired to Osage Beach in 1989. She was a member of Harper Chapel United Methopdist Church in Osage Beach, and was an active participant in the women’s group at the church.

Mary loved to write poems and share them with others. She always looked for the positive and sought to encourage others. She enjoyed tap dancing and took special pleasure in seeing her grandchildren’s activities.

She was preceded in death by her husband Maurice on July 21, 2008; and by her parents.

Survivors include her children Julie Gurss and husband John of Easton, Kansas, John Grable and wife Fran of St. Joseph, Missouri, Jeannie Byrne and husband Kevin of Osage Beach, Missouri; two sisters, her twin Margaret Polson of Beattie, Kansas and Barbara Mills of Aurora, Colorado; six grandchildren, Emilee Gurss, Erin Naidu, Cori Byrne, Jacob Byrne, Jessica Byrne and Hannah Byrne; and two great grandchildren, Kyron Jackson and Lally Naidu; along with other relatives and friends.

Funeral service will be held at 4 PM Saturday, September 8, at the Beattie United Methodist Church in Beattie, Kansas; family will visit with friends for one hour prior to service time. Burial will follow at Vermillion Cemetery. Arrangements are being handled by Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca, Kansas.