Mary L. Van Dyke, 73, Atchison, Kansas died Sunday, October 16, 2016 at her home after living nearly two years with ovarian cancer.

Mass of Christian burial will be Friday, October 21, 2016 at 11:00 a. m. at St. Benedict’s Church with Rev. Jeremy Heppler, OSB as celebrant. Interment will follow in Mt. Calvary Cemetery. A parish rosary will be recited on Thursday, October 20, 2016 at 6:00 p. m. at the Arensberg-Pruett Funeral Home with visitation to follow until 8:00 p. m. Memorial contributions are suggested to St. Benedict’s Catholic School Endowment; Maur Hill-Mount Academy School or Benedictine College and may be left in care of the funeral home. Online condolences may be left at www.arensbergpruett.com.

Mary Louise Cochran was born on October 5, 1943, the fourth child of William and Lillian Cochran.

She obtained two masters degrees, the first in educational psychology and research and the second in computer studies. Mary wrote various grants, including Apple Computer grants which led to her becoming a beta tester for the company; the Casting the Nets grant which connected at-risk girls and individuals from Happy Hearts and the Shepherd Center with her students to learn about computers; and The Road Ahead grant which funded technology conferences at schools. Mary was an educator for years, teaching elementary students at Atchison Catholic schools and gifted and talented students both in Atchison and Lawrence, Kansas school districts.

Mary enjoyed spending time with her family and cheering on her favorite sports teams. She traveled to 19 countries, and in the last several months of her life she experienced an NBA game in Oklahoma, Chris Botti concerts in Manhattan, Kansas and Red Rocks in Colorado, and Royals games in Minneapolis. She lived a good life and will be deeply missed by her family and friends.

She is survived by John Van Dyke, Sr., her husband of 56 years. Other survivors include her children: John Van Dyke, Jr., Tim Van Dyke (Joanie Frakes), both of Atchison, KS; David Van Dyke (Valerie) and Mary Beth McClintock (Brent), both of Kansas City, MO; Sara Van Dyke of New York City, NY and Andrea Verbanic (Michael), of Eudora, KS, her mother Lillian Cochran, Atchison, KS, and her grandchildren Audrey, Curtis, Joyce and Glen McClintock, and Ryan, Joseph and Thomas Verbanic.

Mary was preceded in death by her father, and a brother, Glen Cochran.