1954-2026
Mary Sue Hunter, 71, passed away April 14, 2026 at Wesley Medical Center in Wichita, Kansas.
She was born in Wichita, Kansas, on May 30, 1954, daughter of Kenneth and LaVonne Butts Tefft.
A longtime area resident, moving from Lawrence in 1976, she worked as a music therapist at Larned State Hospital for over 30 years. She was a member of Great Bend First Christian Church and served in youth ministry at Larned First Christian Church for over 25 years. She loved anything to do with music and kids. She was a girl scout leader, bell choir and children’s choir director, Sunday school teacher, children’s music camp director. Mary was a church choir member and played the bass clarinet in the Great Bend City band and Prairie Winds band. She served on the regional board for DOC Christian Church in Kansas, was a board member of Kansas Christian Home, led KCYF cabinet, and was a member of Sunflower Homemakers FCE. Into retirement, she worked as a virtual classroom coordinator, para, and tutor at USD 495. She also did pattern testing for Happily Hooked magazine. She enjoyed crafts, sewing, crochet, knitting, watching KU sports with her dog, and reading, especially cook books. Above all else, she loved watching her grandkids.
On June 1, 1974 she married Daniel M. Hunter at Mulvane, Kansas; he survives.
Other survivors include; three children, Heather (Jeremy) Baker of Wynne, Arkansas, Jenny (Mark) Colglazier of Larned, and Tricia Hunter of Lenexa; two sisters, Peg Toledo of Wichita and Janet Tefft of Mulvane; five grandchildren, Luke Baker, Hannah Baker, Jacob Colglazier, David Colglazier, and Isaac Colglazier.
She was preceded in death by her parents and brother, Fred Tefft.
Memorial service will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday April 23, 2026 at Great Bend First Christian Church with pastor Joshua Leu presiding. Visitation will be 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday, April 22, 2026 at Beckwith Mortuary of Larned with family present 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Memorials may be given to Great Bend First Christian Church or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in care of Beckwith Mortuary, PO Box 477, Larned, Kansas 67550. Personal condolences may be left at www.beckwithmortuary.com.
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