Mary Francis Milligan was born the daughter of Robert Dudley Duvall and Edith Waltz Duvall on February 25th,1946, in Pocatello, Idaho. She attended school in Tulsa, Oklahoma, transferring to Laverne, Oklahoma as a sophomore where she was a cheerleader, a Miss Laverne contestant, and an academic leader in her graduating class.

On September 3,1966, she married William L. Milligan (Bill) in Woodward, Oklahoma. Mary worked at the electric company in Weatherford, Oklahoma to support the family while Bill earned his pharmacy degree, and in 1971 they purchased Burton Drug Store and made Coldwater, Kansas their home. It was there where she became a founding member of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority, and was an active member for twenty years. It was rewarding for Mary to serve the staff and students of Ki-Com/SCK and she built many lasting friendships while working there. Mary returned to school and earned her Bachelor of Arts in History from Fort Hays State University.

Home, family, and friends were Mary's greatest treasures in life. To her children and grandchildren, she was known as "Meemaw" or "Meem" and she never missed a moment supporting them as they competed in sports, performed in theatre, and showed livestock. Mary and her sister, Helen, traveled to many cemeteries, libraries, and museums researching their ancestry. She could talk for hours about their adventures and their family history. Mary & Bill spent time with their friends playing pitch; it continues to be a family-favorite game. Mary had a talent for design and her creativity showed in her home with refinished furniture & antiques, countless (sometimes large) DIY projects, and a lush and beautiful exterior landscape. She had a green thumb, her garden produced the best tomatoes and cucumbers. She often made bread & butter pickles from her harvest. Mary's home was always clean and organized, there was always delicious food to eat, and everyone was always welcome. She was always prepared, yet could pivot with a new plan in an instant. She was always fun to be around and had a great sense of humor. She exuded happiness and positivity: "whatever it takes" and "never ever give up" were phrases that she lived by and continued to repeat over the past few weeks. Mary was a Jayhawk and Chiefs fan and enjoyed watching her teams on television. She read books, mostly about history and politics, but her knowledge on any topic was astounding. In Trivial Pursuit, she was unbeatable.

Coldwater Lake held a special place in Mary's heart. It was there where the Milligan Crew spent hours upon hours together over the years boating, skiing, fishing. She loved living on acreage next to the lake. It gave her the sense of peace and quiet she craved. It was her calm. Mary loved nature. She and Bill spent many hours relaxing on their covered patio where they watched deer, birds, and countless other wildlife in the fields. Over the past couple of years, they drove around the lake daily to check on the wild eagles. Mary built her life around Bill. While their love and devotion to one another was always present, it existed quietly in the background while they focused on raising their family. It was in their empty-nester years where their love and friendship grew, and during these past few months where it blossomed. For your unwavering and steadfast love, Bill…Mary adored you.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents, two sisters (Carolyn and Charlotte), and her husband's parents (Donald Ed and Faye Milligan.) Surviving family members include: her husband, Bill; her children: Leighton Rudd(Kelly), Erica Baruth(Rick), and Will Milligan; her grandchildren: Abbey Claussen(Justin), Alex Rudd, Allyson Humburg(Jett), Jared Baruth, Adam Baruth, and Jalen Milligan; her great-grandson, Daxton Claussen; her sister, Helen(Dan), her brother, Donnie, and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation with the family present will be held at Hatfield-Prusa Funeral Home in Coldwater, KS from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., Thursday, January 9, 2025.  A private family burial will be held at Crown Hill Cemetery, Coldwater, KS.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be sent to www2.breakthrought1d.org (formerly JDRF) or the Comanche County Hospital in care of Hatfield-Prusa Funeral Home, P.O. Box 417, Coldwater, KS 67029.

The Milligan Family extends heartfelt gratitude to Lisa Brooks and the entire staff at Comanche County Hospital for the superior care provided by the nurses, CNAs, PT, and dietary department.

To the strong and fearless woman who made the best fried chicken in the world:

We miss you and LOVEEEE! 👋🏻🌻❤️