Mary N. (Hrenchir) Griffis passed away peacefully Saturday, October 10, 2020, at the home of her daughter in Corpus Christi, Texas, with whom she made her home with for over 10 years.

The family will meet with friends starting at 10 a.m. Wednesday, October 14 with a service to follow at 11 a.m., at Chapel Oaks Funeral Home in Highland. Wayne Feuerbacher, her nephew, will officiate.

Burial will follow at Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Leona.

Memorial contributions are suggested to be used for scholarship purposes at Doniphan West High School, sent in care of the funeral home, PO Box 33, 66035.

Mary was born in rural Highland, April 25, 1921 one of seven children born to Richard and Beulah Brown Hrenchir. She grew up in Doniphan County where she graduated high school. Mary worked hard to further her education: bachelor degree at Marshall, MO, master of education at Warrensburg, MO.

She married Bertram Griffis May 8, 1941. They lived in Kansas City a short time prior to moving to Marshall, Missouri where she taught third grade for 29 years. They later to moved Leona, Kansas where she again taught in Doniphan County, some of which included Special Education in Highland and Hiawatha. “She never turned down a teaching opportunity.” She was one busy person: she did orchard work, helped Bertram on the farm, raising chickens, gardening many years which was over a half acre. Not only would she share what she raised, she also would share the produce after she canned it.

They were members of Bellevue United Methodist Church, north of Leona, where she ‘always’ taught Sunday School. Mary was a longtime member of Missouri and Kansas teacher associations.

Survivors include her daughter Mary Jo Smith of Corpus Christi, a brother Wilfred Hrenchir of Arizona, granddaughter Sonya Smith, also of Corpus; and a number of nieces and nephews.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents, husband Bertram in 1988, two grandchildren Barry in 1995, Terri in 2011, siblings Norman, Harold, Victor Hrenchir, Geneva Feuerbacher and Mildred Breckenridge.

MASKS AND SOCIAL DISTANCING ARE REQUIRED

A message may be sent to the family at www.chapeloaksfuneralhome.com

Services will be broadcast live at the Facebook group page: Chapel Oaks Funeral Home Hiawatha & Highland KS