Mary was born in Kremmling, Colorado on April 11, 1952. She was the oldest of four children.
She was returning to Bethany College in Lindsborg, KS following Christmas break when the accident happened. Bethany is a Lutheran based college. Mary was studying to be a teacher and she enjoyed sewing and homecrafts, as well as learning. Her favorite subject was math. Not a big party-girl, she enjoyed her friends and always had a smile on her face and a kind word for others.
Mary passed away January 3, 1971, in an auto accident. My parents drove her to Buena Vista, CO where she met up with a college classmate, Karen Black from Durango. She was to travel on to Kansas with Karen. The roads were somewhat icy, typical Colorado mountain driving conditions. Shortly after she transferred to Karen's car, near Salida, CO, Karen apparently lost control of her car on the two-lane road and slid broadside into an oncoming truck. Mary was killed, Karen survived. Even though the accident occurred about 20 minutes after they dropped Mary off, my parents were unaware until they returned to Glenwood and were notified of the accident.
The death was unexpected and was felt deeply in our family. I was fortunate to have her as my big sister.
-Walt Stowe