Mary Ann Wilder

Beloved wife, mother, friend and daughter of God, Mary Ann Wilder left this earth on October 1 to join her sister and parents in our heavenly home. Originally scheduled to arrive September 30, Saint Peter asked for an extra day to ensure paradise was thoroughly cleaned and tidied up to Mary Ann’s impeccable standards.

Mary Ann Nunemaker was born on July 25, 1939 in Kingman, Kansas to parents Geraldine Mary (Sanko) and William Everett Nunemaker. With the addition of her younger sister Betty Jean, Mary Ann lived a happy childhood baptizing kittens found on the family wheat farm, sinking canoes while on camping trips with her school mates and earning recognition as the best rifle shot (with some coaching from her father) in all of Kingman County.

While working as a soda jerk in Wichita, Mary Ann met the man who would become her husband of 65 years. Immediately attracted by his lanky frame, thick Alabama accent and his love of model airplanes, Mary Ann and Bob Wilder fell deeply in love. Bob soon proposed to Mary Ann, and on December 28,1957 they wed at Saint Anne’s church in Wichita, Kansas.

Despite their prayers pleading for a beautiful little girl, their first son James Anthony (Tony) was delivered via stork. Realizing she knew nothing about football, G.I. Joe or hunting, they requested a refund but were instead gifted a very pretty blonde boy Kevin Scott (Scott). Two more unsuccessful attempts to produce a feminine and dainty little girl resulted in the births of David William (Bill) and Daniel Robert (Dan). Acquiescing to the fact that God works in mysterious ways, Mary Ann gave up her dream of dressing daughters in ribbons and bows and instead devoted herself to raising four boys, supporting her husband, joining altar society, sewing alterations for friends and neighbors and learning to cook from a Betty Crocker cookbook.

Work brought Bob to north Texas where Mary Ann moved the family, crying all the way, to a house on Boston street in Irving, Texas. Mary Ann eventually bought her first pair of cowgirl boots and became an honorary Texan, making the best sour cream chicken enchiladas north of the Rio Grande.

It was shortly after this that Bob and Mary Ann established family roots in Irving. Regular members of Saint Luke’s Church and School, Mary Ann was involved with numerous church-based ministries. All four boys attended school at Saint Luke’s, played sports and went through Boy Scouts at the little parish in south Irving.

Eventually, Mary Ann’s wish for the perfect child was granted, and she was pregnant with her fifth child. After the shock of the news wore off and quizzically looking at each other, the four teenage boys welcomed Steven Joseph into the world with shouts of joy. Older brother Scott was delighted to share his room with a crying baby brother.

Just a few years later in 1982 Mary Ann’s first grand child was born to her oldest son Tony and his wife Mary - James (Jimmy) Wilder. This would be the first of 16 grandchildren (8 boys and 8 girls) - James, Mary Kate, John Matthew, Rachel, Michael Paul, Julie, Christine, Emily, Everett, Thomas, Brian, Derek, Dana, Lillian, Rose and Luke. Mary Ann’s legacy continued on with 10 Great Grandkids - Kyla, Scarlet, Jack, Leo, Katherine, Grant, Connor, Margaret, Milo and Olivia.

After decades of changing diapers, chauffeuring boys to football games and rescuing stray animals as pets, Bob and Mary Ann embarked on a new chapter in their life together. Mary Ann began a new career working at the Cistercian Abbey, supporting the Abbot and the numerous young monks who would come through its doors. The couple, having successfully raised five boys, sold the house on Boston Street, bought a new home in Colleyville and were warmly welcomed into Good Shepherd Catholic Church where Mary Ann generously served until her passing.

Mary Ann is survived by her loving husband of 65 years, Bob, along with five sons, their wives (Mary, Rebecca, Gina, Laurie and Leigh), 16 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. We will mourn her loss but embrace and carry on the legacy of a kind, selfless, devoted and faithful Kansas farm girl who carried the love of our Lord with her everywhere she went.

In Lieu of flowers or donations, please submit any gift to the Cure Alzheimer’s Fund - curealz.org

Rosary will be held Sunday, October 8, 5pm to 7pm. At Lucas Funeral Home Hurst, 1321 Precinct Ln Rd. Hurst, Texas 76053.

Visitation followed by Mass will be held Monday, October 9, 10am Visitation 11am mass at Good Shepherd Catholic Community 1000 Tinker Rd, Colleyville, TX 76034.