Mary Elizabeth Stroda

Mary Elizabeth (Shimanek) Stroda passed away quickly and peacefully on Tuesday, February 24, 2026 at the Marion Manor Assisted Living facility where she had recently been residing.

Mary was born in Hennessey, Oklahoma to Edward and Francis (Havlik) Shimanek in 1936. She was one of 9 children born to the couple. After high school graduation, Mary attended Nurse’s Training at St. Francis Hospital in Wichita and then worked for a local doctor until her marriage to Leroy Stroda in1959.

Leroy and Mary were lifetime members of the St. Phillips’s Catholic Church in Hope, Kansas and Mary was an active member of the Altar Society. Being of service to God was important in her life and led her to give her time caring for St. Phillip’s Church and preparing it for Mass. Many evenings found her sitting on her back porch and praying the rosary for the people she loved and the world as a whole.

Mary had many hobbies and talents. Any person that attended a church function or school athletic banquet while her kids were in school would have likely eaten her famous potato salad, angel food cake, or cherry kolaches. The garden was a place she enjoyed her whole life as it helped to feed her family. Quilting and sewing were also passions.

She was preceded in death by her husband Leroy in October of 1998. She was the last living of her siblings: Benny Shimanek, Edward Shimanek, Thomas Shimanek, Raymond Shimanek, Martha Mages, Wilma Shimanek, Georgia Shimanek, and Mildred Shimanek

Mary is survived by her 5 children: Susan McMahan, Kenny Stroda, Chris Stroda, Peggy Pennington, and Doug Stroda. Susan and Rex McMahan’s children surviving Mary are: Cody (Megan) McMahan, Kendra (Jeff) Mein, and Cass (Crysta) McMahan and seven great grandchildren: Gunnar McMahan, Greelie McMahan, Gentry McMahan, Brekyn Mein, Tucker Mein, Tenley McMahan, and Levi McMahan. Kenny and Lisa (Gonzales) Stroda’s children surviving Mary are: Joseph Stroda and Seth Stroda. Peggy and Shawn Pennington’s children are: Katie Pennington and Cooper Pennington. Doug and Liz Stroda’s children are: Kayden Stroda and Allie Stroda.

Her family will gather with friends on Sunday, March 1, 2026, from 5:00-7:00 pm at Yazel-Megli Funeral Home in Herington,  a Rosary will be held 7:00 pm after the visitation. A funeral service will be held Monday, March 2, 2026, at 10:30 am, at St. Phillip Catholic Church in Hope, Kansas. She will be laid to rest in St. Phillip Cemetery. Memorials contributions in her name may be directed to St. Phillip Catholic Church, St. Phillip Cemetery, or Altar Society. Please sign her online guestbook and leave a memory of Mary at www.yazelmeglifh.com.