Mary L. Carr

Mary L. Carr, 84, formerly of Topeka, Kansas, died January 23, 2017 at the Missouri Baptist Medical Center, Town and Country, Missouri.  She was born August 15, 1932, the daughter of George Raymond and Lucy (Blandin) Burns.  She graduated from Circleville High School.  Mary married Darrell E. Carr on September 1, 1956.  On September 1, 2016 they celebrated 60 years of marriage. He preceded her in death on September 18, 2016. She was a member of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation, serving on the Charitable Donation Committee. She was a member of St. Matthew Catholic Church in Topeka, active for many years in their Woman's Organization and at Adoration.  She was also a long-time volunteer at "Let’s Help" in Topeka. Prior to her marriage, Mary was employed as a supervisor by Hallmark Cards in Topeka; she later worked for many years as a bookkeeper at Stone Container in Cincinnati, Ohio.  Mary enjoyed painting, sewing, gardening, dancing, and water aerobics; most of all, she enjoyed her grandchildren. She is survived by her children, Bradley “Brad” (Mattie) Carr, Topeka,  William “Bill” (Greda)  Carr, Aberdeen, South Dakota, Julie (Michael) Dimeo, Issaquah, Washington, Catherine "Cathy" (Richard) Wieder, Chesterfield, Missouri; three grandchildren, Sarah Wieder, Denver, Colorado, Rob Wieder, Chicago, Illinois, and Dan Wieder, Chesterfield, Missouri; and one great-grandson, Troy Chalcraft, Eatonville, Washington.  Other survivors include her sisters, Theresa (Wayne) McNary, Ozawkie, and Julia (Philip) Kennedy, Topeka; and sisters-in-law, Donna Burns (Martin, deceased) of Holton, and Ruth Burns (James, deceased) of North Carolina.  She was preceded in death by three other brothers, Philip Burns (Bernadette, deceased), Edwin Burns (Bonnie, deceased), and Billy Burns.

Mary will lie in state after 2:00 pm Thursday at Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home in Topeka, where a Rosary will be prayed at 6:00 pm.  The family will receive friends following the Rosary until 8:30 pm.  Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 am Friday at St. Matthew Catholic Church, with graveside service at 1:30 pm at the Rossville Cemetery.  Memorial contributions may be made to Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation ("JDRF"), or Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas and sent to Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home, 800 SW 6th Ave., Topeka, Kansas, 66603.