Mary Ellen Wallace

Mary Ellen Wallace, 89, Topeka, passed away on Monday, September 8, 2008 at St. Francis Health Center.

Mary was born January 18, 1919 in Smith County, Kansas, the daughter of Jason and Ruth Pearl (Badders) Hudson. Her grandfather and his brothers established the town of Athol, Kansas. She graduated from Athol High School and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from the University of Kansas in 1942.

She was a nursing instructor at the Steubenville, Ohio hospital and later served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, aboard the USHS Sanctuary, which was the first hospital ship in the Nagasaki harbor after the Atomic bomb was dropped.

She was employed at the University of Kansas Medical Center and the Maryville, Missouri hospital. After raising her family she returned to nursing in Burlington, Iowa and at Stormont Vail in Topeka.

She was a member of First Lutheran Church, Topeka Civic Newcomers for over 30 years and participated in several Junquers bus trips; the Woman's Club, Association of University Women, and a guide at the State Historical Museum.

Mary married Dr. Leo F. Wallace on April 3, 1946 in Kansas City, Kansas. He survives. Other survivors include son, Steven L. Wallace, Lake Jackson, TX; daughters, Sue A. (David) Bruce, Overland Park, KS, Sheryl L. (Paul) Jones, Springfield, MO; grandsons, Jack K. Bruce, San Diego, CA, PFC Jason Bruce, Ft. Drum, NY; and sister, Eunice Moeller, Maryville, MO. She was preceded in death by her parents and 12 siblings. She will be missed by her good friends at Atria Hearthstone West where she and Leo have resided for the past 3 years.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, September 11, 2008 at Penwell-Gabel Mid Town Chapel. Burial with Military honors will follow at West Lawn Memorial Gardens. Mary will lie in state after 4:00 p.m. today and visitation will be one hour prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to First Lutheran Church, 1234 SW Fairlawn, Topeka, Kansas 66604.