Mary Ann Thaemert

Mary Ann Thaemert, 86, of Manhattan, Kansas, and former Natoma, Kansas, resident died on Sunday, November 16, 2025, at the Via Christi Village in Manhattan.

Mary Ann, the daughter of Rudolph and Marie (Luhman) Reese, was born August 06, 1939, on the Reese family farm in rural Rooks County, Kansas. She was a country girl and animal lover through and through, and was never without an animal by her side whether it be cat, dog, horse, cow. She attended Laton country school through 8th grade and then went on to graduate from Natoma High School in 1957. She met, fell in love, and was then united in marriage to Allan Lee Thaemert on May 31, 1959, at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in rural Natoma, Kansas. From this union they were blessed with 5 children: Troy, Todd, Becky, Tom, and James. They made stops in Grinnell, KS and then Olsburg, KS before settling in Manhattan, Kansas. Mary Ann was a dedicated wife, mother and homemaker. She had an amazing entrepreneurial drive which helped her find many creative outlets for her passions and talents. Starting as a bank teller then on to Mary Kay Beauty Consultant then to having the reputation for being the best daycare provider in Manhattan where the children (and parents) loved her almost as much as she loved them. And Mary Ann always seemed to have an antique shop somehow, somewhere for several decades. Upon retiring in 1994 Allan and Mary Ann moved back to the Reese family farm where she had been born and had grown up. She kept her entrepreneurial spirit alive through owning and operating both a thrift store (“Shop on the Corner”) and a bed & breakfast (“House on the Hill”). But most of all she loved spending time and being active in her children and grandchildren’s lives.

Surviving family include her husband Allan of Lucas, Kansas, son Todd Thaemert of Manhattan, Kansas, daughter Becky Pancost (Jon) of Lucas, Kansas, son Tom Thaemert (Krista) of Manhattan, Kansas, son James Thaemert of Manhattan, Kansas, and 5 grandchildren: Savannah Awbrey (Nate), Reese Thaemert (Marissa), Sophie, Harlan, and Lily Pancost.

She was preceded in death by her parents, son Troy Thaemert, brothers Dean and Edwin Reese and sisters Wilda Lindberg, Lola Boedeker and Lorene Tatkenhorst.

A celebration of MaryAnn’s life will be held at 1:00 P.M. on Saturday, November 22, 2025, at the Peace Lutheran Church in Natoma, Kansas. Burial will follow at the North Lutheran Cemetery in rural Natoma. Family will greet guests from Noon to 12:45 P.M. at the church the day of the service. After the graveside service, family and friends are invited to meet at the church for a meal and fellowship. Memorials may be given to the Peace Lutheran Church and can be sent in care of the mortuary. Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell and Natoma, Kansas are in charge of the funeral service arrangements.