Mary Beth Linn

Mary Beth (Hutchison) Linn was born September 13, 1921, in Westphalia,
Kansas. Before she was a year old her mother, Bessie (Hartman), died from the flu. But Mary Beth did not lack for love and attention as a toddler. More than one set of relatives wanted to adopt the pretty, vivacious little girl. Mary Beth often acknowledged that at that time she was spoiled and loved it.

Before long her father, Sherman, remarried and started another family with Bessie's sister, Bertha, and Mary Beth. Times were hard in her youth. A much-welcomed present for Christmas in the 1930s might be a piece of fruit. But with a hard working father, caring stepmother and two loving younger sisters, Mary Beth prospered. Her mischievous side emerged frequently in good-natured pranks while she was in high school.

After high school Mary Beth studied to become a hairdresser and began a career in which she made countless friends as co-workers and customers. She met and married a handsome World War II vet, Eugene Stanley Linn. In one picture of them out on the town, they look like two movie stars. In December 1946 she had her only child, also named Eugene. Though they were good parents and shared some good times, the marriage ended in 1960.

After a brief second marriage, Mary Beth was on her own as a single Mom. She raised a good son in the Lutheran faith and bought and paid for her own home. For more than three decades she brightened her neighborhood in the spring and summer with a profusion of roses, petunias and geraniums. She also filled her yard with numerous trees and bushes; her son grumbled more than once as he steered an obstacle course to mow her lawn. She did not hesitate to spend great amounts of energy and time to care for her ailing father and youngest sister.

Her love for life and adventure showed itself when she visited her son and his wife, Lilian, several times in the Far East, traveling to Hong Kong, Beijing, Guangzhou and Singapore. Lilian in particular was a loving addition to the family and was a great comfort to Mary Beth. She also cherished numerous friendships, especially with the Williams family. Harold and Leota and their children David, Ron, Carol, Kaylene and Randy have been a big part of Linn family life. Former co-worker Jane Little and Mary Ferris were also dear friends. The staff at Plaza West nursing home provided plenty of attention and real affection, spoiling her once more.

Even toward the end she embraced life, becoming a big fan of Wii bowling(especially when she won), going shopping and out to eat. Fighter that she was, she chose to go through chemo-therapy at the age of 87. She passed away December 12, 2008. Visitation for her will be 12:30 - 5:00 p.m. December 16 at the Penwell-Gabel 10th and Lane chapel. The graveside ceremony will be at 2:00 p.m. December 17 at the Penwell-Gabel cemetery at 6th and Gage. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 1315 SW Arrowhead Rd, Topeka, KS 66604. When the time came Mary Beth accepted God's love and mercy. Now those of us who knew and loved her must do the same.