Mary Kay (Voet) Nold, 68, of Wathena passed away peacefully in her home after a two-year battle with cancer on Sunday, October 11. 2026. She was surrounded by her husband Paul, of forty years, and their four children - Lucrecia, Bryant, Elliott, and Derek.
Mary Kay was born on March 16, 1958, to Mary Lou (Ronnebaum) & Francis Voet of Oketo, KS. She attended a small one room schoolhouse before St. Gregory’s Catholic School, and graduating Marysville High School in 1976. She went onto Kansas State University, where she lived at Clovia 4-H Scholarship House and earned her degree of Bachelor of Science in Home Economics in 1980. Over the years she remained a proud fan of her alma mater, always making sure to wear purple on gamedays.
After graduating she took a job as the 4-H Extension Agent for Doniphan County in Troy, KS, where she remained from 1980-1988. For many years she was proud to stay at home and raise her children. She was a frequent substitute teacher for Wathena schools over many years. Later, she became the Site Director for the Wathena Keen-Age Center, before retiring in 2023.
On September 27, 1986, she married Paul Nold at St. Gregory Catholic Church in Marysville, KS. They resided on their land, just outside of Wathena, where they raised their four kids and hosted a multitude of family dinners.
She had a love and talent for baking. Countless cookies, cinnamon rolls, cakes, and pies were made over the years- enjoyed by family, friends, and classmates of her children. Her talent for this often had her judging Foods at area county fairs and at times the Kansas State Fair.
She was also an excellent seamstress, as sewing was her favorite hobby. For many years she sewed clothes for her husband, children, and made alterations for various family & friends. In recent years she took up quilting, which was done the traditional way, sewn by hand. This talent and love, too, often had her judging Clothing Construction at local county fairs. Her overall skills and knowledge for baking, sewing, and many other gifts were shared for numerous years as the local 4-H Club leader.
Mary Kay was a devout Catholic, praying a daily rosary, often attending weekday Mass and Adoration. In her spare time, she was director and teacher of religious education at St. Joseph Catholic Church, including Vacation Bible School. Additionally, she was a lector at Mass and Secretary of Altar Society.
Mary Kay is survived by her husband Paul; four children: Lucrecia, Bryant, Elliott (Bridget), Derek; three grandchildren: Jack, Rachel, Ben; Mother: Mary Lou; four brothers: Steve (JoLynne), Robert (Cindy), Larry (Cathy), Mike (Tonya); and a multitude of nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by her father, Francis Voet and her first grandchild, who passed away before birth.
A rosary will be held Friday, October 16 at 5:45pm followed by visitation until 8:00pm at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Wathena. A Mass of Christian Burial held at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Saturday, October 17 at 11:00am. The Rite of Committal (graveside service) will follow at Mt. Calvary Cemetery. Friends may call after 9 A.M. Friday at the Harman-Rohde Funeral Home in Wathena, Kansas.  www.harmanrohde.com
Memorial donations and contributions may be made out to St. Joseph Catholic Church renovation funds, Masses in her remembrance, or Kansans for Life.
Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her. May her soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.