Mary Idell Willems, 92, passed on June 21, 2018 at Comanche County Hospital, Coldwater KS. Born September 5, 1925 at Protection, KS, she was the first daughter of Jacob and Stella (Baker) Zimmerman.

Mary attended country school then graduated from Protection High School in 1943 and Hesston College, Hesston KS, in 1945. She returned to teach at Bluff Creek country school in Protection.

At her parents' home south of Protection, she married Aaron Martin Willems, September 28, 1945. Their married years were spent raising a family and farming except for four years on a cattle ranch in Glenwood Springs, CO. Later upon return, she worked at Pioneer Lodge, Coldwater, KS, then as bookkeeper at Lane Myers Wire Company for 13 years.

Mary loved and served her family well. She also was deeply appreciative of her Christian heritage and was an active member of Protection Mennonite Church. Activities after retirement were quilt making, piano, reading, local clubs, some travel, and she enjoyed baking bread from Kansas wheat. Her last 2 1/2 years were spent at Pioneer Lodge.

Survivors include three sons: Verlyn Willems (Cheryl), Vaughn Willems (Diane), Brian Willems (Kathy) all of Protection, KS; one daughter: DeAnn Hershberger (Roger) of Richmond, VA; two sisters: Bernice Bayne of Protection, KS and Wilma Willems of Craig, CO; 14 grandchildren; and 26 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Aaron Martin Willems, on December 27, 1996. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents, one sister: Jean Schultz; and two infant grandsons.

Memorial service is at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, July 28, 2018, at Protection Mennonite Church in Protection, KS.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Mennonite Central Committee or Missionary Mary Beyler in care of Hatfield-Prusa Funeral Home, P.O. Box 417, Coldwater, KS 67029.