Mary Lee Wiens

Mary Lee Detweiler Wiens, 80, of Hesston, Kansas, passed away Saturday, October 29, 2022 at Schowalter Villa, Hesston, Kansas. Mary Lee was born on the farm of her parents near Thomas, Oklahoma on January 27th, 1942. Daughter of John Robert and Ethel Lorene (Miller) Detweiler. Mary Lee was the youngest of three girls. After graduating from Hesston College with an Associates Degree in Business, Mary Lee started working at Hesston Corporation, then at Excel Industries where she was an Office Manager and Administrative Assistant to the President. She retired after 22 years of service. While working at Hesston Corporation, she met the love of her life, Richard H. Wiens. Richard and Mary Lee married May 14, 1966 at Hesston Mennonite Church, Hesston, Kansas. Richard and Mary Lee were married just short of 40 years. The marriage was blessed with two children, Kimberly Wiens Barber and Philip Wiens and four grandchildren, Katelyn (Chandler) Sanburn, Mason Barber, Kennedy Wiens, and Cooper Wiens. Richard passed away March 28, 2006. Mary Lee was remarried May 23, 2009 to Jim Smith. This marriage expanded her family to include Amy Smith Murphy, Michael Smith, and six grandchildren. Mary Lee enjoyed many years of traveling. Some of her favorite places to visit were Colorado, Florida, and Indiana. An occasional trip to Branson and a bus trip to New York City and Washington D.C. were also special times for her. She loved to host family and friends for coffee or a meal. She had a knack for decorating and making all events special. She enjoyed playing cards with her close friends and attending Bible studies. Mary Lee loved visits from her grandchildren, catching up with their lives and playing a game of Wahoo or dominoes. Christmas was her favorite time of year, she loved the Christmas lights and making the house feel warm and cozy. She was a member of Hesston Mennonite Church for 50+ years, where she volunteered by teaching Sunday school, being involved in youth group and hosting Hesston College MOD groups. Her and Jim also enjoyed giving back to the community through the Meals on Wheels program with weekly deliveries. Mary Lee was raised in a Christian home, surrounded by strong believers. She continued her faith journey throughout life as she placed God at the center of her day to day. Mary Lee is survived by her husband, Jim Smith of Hesston; her children, Kim Barber and her husband Brett, of Hesston, Phil and his wife Krista, of Nappanee, Indiana, Amy and her husband Mike Murphy of Norman, Oklahoma, and Michael and his wife Dana Smith of Norman, Oklahoma. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Katelyn and her husband Chandler Sanburn of Wichita, Mason Barber of Wichita, Kennedy Wiens of Nappanee, Indiana, Cooper Wiens of Nappanee, Indiana, Abigail and her husband Thomas Cordray of Tahlequah, Oklahoma, Addelin Replogle and Ty Replogle of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, and Isaac, Elijah, and Jeremiah Smith of Norman, Oklahoma; two sisters, Patsy and her husband Earle Dirks, and Ruth Ann and her husband, Dick Toews; and many nieces and nephews. Memorial services will be held at 1:00 p.m., Friday, November 4, 2022 at Dyck Arboretum, Hesston, Kansas. Family will greet friends from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., Thursday, November 3, at the Arboretum. Private burial will take place at Eastlawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions to be made to Good Shepherd Hospice or Schowalter Villa Good Samaritan Fund in care of Miller-Ott Funeral Home, PO Box 32, Hesston, KS 67062.

Mary Lee Wiens

January 27, 1942 - October 29, 2022