Mary Alice Vanhole

OBITUARY: Mary Alice VanHole
Mary Alice VanHole, 95, died of Alzheimer's Disease on November 5, 2011 at the Clare Bridge facility in Topeka, Kansas. She was born on July 15, 1916 as the first child of Emil and Laura Huber of Valley Falls, Kansas.
Mary and her only sibling Gladys attended Valley Falls public schools. The family was involved in the usual small town activities and Mary made friendships which lasted a lifetime. Mary maintained ties to her hometown all her life. In high school, Mary met her future husband John VanHole.
Mary and John were married in the middle of the Great Depression. They started married life with a good hope for the future. As many people at that time, they had very little else.
John eventually got a job with the Santa Fe Railroad and the family which then included daughter Ruth moved to Topeka. John left the Santa Fe in 1949, and he and Mary ran a successful service station business in the Oakland neighborhood of Topeka for several years. The business enabled them to send their daughter and son to college. They closed the business in 1967. John got rehired by the Santa Fe and Mary started working for the State of Kansas. She initially worked in the legislature and later worked at the state printer. Mary and John retired in 1981.
Mary and John built a good life together. They had a long and enjoyable retirement. They loved to dance and to travel. They also enjoyed playing golf with Santa Fe retirees.
Mary and John were married over seventy-seven years. John preceded her in death by only five weeks. Her sister Gladys Wetherell and a grand-daughter Carol VanHole also preceded her. Mary is survived by her children Ruth Ball and Steve Van Hole and grand-daughters Stephanie Ball, Suzanne Ball, and Diane VanHole.
Mary was a homemaker and a working mom. She did both jobs well. She even found time to volunteer for community activities. Mostly though, family welfare and reputation were her passions. No family member ever had a doubt as to what was the proper, correct, mannerly, or tactful thing to do. It was best not to get caught doing otherwise.
It took five years for Alzheimer's disease to completely cloud Mary's mind. Early on, family circumstances enabled a commitment to be made. It was decided to keep her in her home amidst her family for as long as possible. Mary was not too difficult to care for and the commitment was kept. Whatever hardships the family endured during this time were simply considered to be partial payments on a debt owed to someone who devoted her life to her husband and children.
In life, Mary and John were inseparable. The visitation held for John only weeks ago could only have been a celebration of their lives together. Mary and John were cremated and will be buried in adjoining urns at a later date. A graveside service will be held at that time.
The family wishes to express their gratitude for the excellent care John and Mary received in their last days from Midland Hospice and Clare Bridge Alzheimer's Care. Mary also received care from two very special home health aides from the Shawnee County Health Agency for several years.