Mary Jo Laincz, 66, Atchison, Kansas passed away Friday July 25, 2014 at Atchison Hospital.

Funeral services for Mary Jo Laincz will be Friday August 8, 2014 at the Atchison Heritage Conference Center at 6:00 PM. Memorial contributions are suggested to the Atchison Elementary P.E. Department, Peru State Foundation – Softball, or Foundation for Women’s Cancer and may be left in care of the Arensberg-Pruett Funeral Home with whom the final arrangements have been entrusted. Online condolences may be left at www.arensbergpruett.com.

Mary Jo was born October 5, 1947, in Atchison, Kansas.  She attended Harmony Garden Country School and later Franklin Elementary School. She graduated from Atchison High School in 1965. Following graduation she attended Benedictine College earning her B.S. in Education. She furthered her education by later earning her M.S. in Education from Northwest Missouri State University.

She married David Laincz August 16, 1975, at the First Christian Church in Atchison.

Mary Jo taught physical education and health for over 30 years.  She served in education at Northwest Missouri State University and coached softball and basketball.  She then taught at Peru State College also coaching volleyball, basketball, initiating a softball program and served as coach.  She then taught elementary physical education in Lincoln, Nebraska before returning to Atchison to teach at the Atchison Middle School for over 17 years and coaching tennis at Atchison High School.  She retired in 2008 from her teaching career at the level she was most passionate about, Atchison Elementary School.

She was a member of First Christian Church in Atchison.  Mary Jo served as director of Red Cross swim lessons, former manager of Atchison Lion’s Pool, swim instructor for the YMCA and Bellevue Country Club, youth softball director and coached softball for Atchison Recreation Department, was a member of the Red Cross Board of Directors for several years.  She enjoyed teaching swimming lessons, being a spectator of all sports, reading.  Mary was long known for her caring and generosity, especially for her “Birthday Club” friends, beloved husband, children and grandchildren.

Survivors include her husband, Dave Laincz, of the couple’s home in Atchison, a daughter, Kathryn (Jason) Bryan, Easton, KS, a son, Matthew (Bobbie) Laincz, Leavenworth, KS, and four granddaughters, Anna Laincz, Halle Laincz, Isabella Bryan, and Lillian Bryan and two sisters.

She was preceded in death by her parents.