Mary Stroup-Dodson Obituary

Mary Gene Stroup-Dodson, age 86, died on Wednesday November 23, 2016 at the Stormont-Vail Hospital, Topeka, Kansas.

She was born on July 13, 1930 in Okarche, Oklahoma and adopted by Stephan Murray and Lula Pearl

(Hutspeth) Huntley. She graduated from Herington High School with the class of 1948. She then lived with an aunt in San Francisco and graduated from nursing school there. Mary was a nurse for a while and then worked as a dental assistant for the Oral Surgeon at the Irwin Army Hospital, Fort Riley, Kansas. Later in life, she did various part time jobs, but was a devoted homemaker to her children.

She loved singing when she was younger and when she was a senior in High School, she won a competition for her Latin rendition of "Ave Maria". Mary Gene survived many medical challenges throughout her life, but never lost her sense of humor or ability to tell stories, some involving more imagination than others. She believed in the United States Armed Forces and supported them as a volunteer and leader with the American Legions wherever she was living. Above all, she loved being with her family, especially the grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Preceding her in death were her parents; a brother: James E. Huntley; 3 husbands: William Carruth in 1982, Donald R. Stroup in 1990 and JE Dodson in 1991. She was also preceded by several half brothers and sisters.

Survivors include her children: Carol Dee Carruth-Iott of Tulsa, OK, Linda A. Couch of Manhattan, James S. Stroup (Debra) of Colorado Springs, CO and Sally J. Davis-Oppy (David) of Wamego, KS; 10 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren and numerous half brothers and sisters and many nieces, nephews and friends.

A Celebration of Her Life will be at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday December 3, 2016 at the First Presbyterian Church, 801 Leavenworth St., Manhattan, Kansas with Rev. Cam McConnell officiating. Private inurnment will be at a later date in Herington, Kansas.

Memorial contributions may be made to the DAV (Disabled American Veterans) in care of the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, Kansas 66502.

Online condolences may be left for the family through the funeral home website at: www.ymlfuneralhome.com.