Mary Dearden

Mary Dearden, 76, died at Park Lane Nursing Home, Scott City, on Jan. 12, 2024.

She was born on July 31, 1947, in Winfield to Benjamin and Edith (Waite) Stout. The youngest of three children, she had two older brothers, Colonel Delbert and Willis Stout.

She was a member of the United Methodist Church in Scott City. She was very proud when she was baptized on Jan. 16, 2011.

She married Gary Joe Heath on Nov. 25, 1964, in Moreland. She moved to Otis in 1970 and was there until Joe died on May 5, 1985.

She found love again when she met Robert Dearden at the Fanchon Ballroom in Hays. They married on Nov. 18, 1987, in Scott City. He survives.

Through the years she worked as cook in the Otis-Bison school District in Otis and and at Cherry Lane Nursing Home, Great Bend. Mary enjoyed her years at Please Go Away Travel Agency in Great Bend. She later had her own travel agency in Scott City.

She also worked in the FSA offices in both Lane and Wichita counties and then worked for State Farm Insurance, Scott City. She retired from that job on July 31, 2015.

She was always supportive of her children and later grandchildren. She really enjoyed going to all their school activities and was known to take pictures of all their events. She often entered her pictures at the Scott County Fair.

She also enjoyed knitting and sewing, making several baby blankets and clothes for her children.

Other survivors include her children, Starla Newberry and husband, Brad, Lenexa, Lonny Dearden and wife, Colleen, Scott City, Ben Heath and wife, Lora, Omaha, Nebr., Bruce Heath, Hays, Rob Dearden, Kansas City, and Will Dearden and wife, Jamie, Colby; nine grandchildren, David, Christopher, Nicholas, Kayla, Kirsten, Krissa, Tessa, Kyle and Raeleah; and 11 great-grandchildren, Tristan, Alirah, Laynee, Hazleigh, Braxton, Ryker, Oliver, Maren, Gabriel, Sam and Liam.

She was also preceded in death by her parents; step-father, Doyle Ruggles; brothers, Colonel Delbert Stout and Willis Stout; and her daughter, Ranell George.

A memorial service will be held on Sat., Jan. 27, 2:00 p.m., at the United Methodist Church, Scott City, with Rev. Jeff Goetzinger presiding.

There will be no calling times.

Inurnment will be in the Scott County Cemetery.

Memorials can be written to Camp Lakeside in care of Price and Sons Funeral Homes, Box 553, Scott City, Ks. 67871.