Mary A. Kuckelman, 87, of Seneca, KS, died Sunday, June 8, 2003, at Crestview Manor care home in Seneca. She had been a resident there since February 1996.

She was born December 7, 1915, at St. Bridget, KS, the daughter of Michael and Anna McNamara Carroll. When she was left an orphan at five years of age, she was raised by her Aunt Sarah Carroll McGrath. When she was 16 years old, her aunt died and she went to live with her first cousin, Bill and Teresa McGrath McBride. She attended St. Bridget Grade School in Axtell and graduated from Marysville High School in 1932.

On October 12, 1933, she married Herman Kuckelman at Sacred Heart Church in Atchison. They lived, farmed, and raised livestock on the Carroll homestead, Mary’s grandparents’ home, northeast of the St. Bridget Community for 43 years. In the fall of 1976 they retired and moved to Seneca. They celebrated their golden wedding anniversary in 1983. Her husband Herman preceded her in death on April 19, 1987.

She was a member of Sts. Peter & Paul Church in Seneca and St. Ann’s Altar Society at the church, and was a former member of St. Bridget Church, where she was president of the Altar Society and sang in the choir.

She loved gardening, was a good cook, and enjoyed crocheting and playing cards with her family and friends.

Survivors are two sons, Bill Kuckelman of Baileyville, KS, and Jody Kuckelman of Axtell; three daughters, Carolyn Mulryan of Albuquerque, NM, Sara Kramer of Newton, KS, Alice Hammes of Baileyville; 18 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren; and a great-great granddaughter.

Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by two grandsons, James Kuckelman on October 26, 1969, and Roger Hammes on March 22, 1987, and a great-grandchild, Lexi Kramer on March 13, 1992.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 AM Wednesday, June 11, at Sts. Peter & Paul Church in Seneca. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Rosaries will be prayed at 2 & 8 PM Tuesday at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca.

Memorials may be given for the Activity Fund at Crestview, and sent in care of the family.