Mary A. Sahlfeld

Mary Ann (Cullum) Sahlfeld was born July 24, 1929 and departed this life of 81 years, 4 months and 28 days early Tuesday morning, December 21, 2010 at Salina Regional Health Center.
Mary grew up in Beloit. Her parents were Orie N. and Vella I. (Briney) Cullum. Marrying Joe Sahlfeld in April 1947, she enjoyed the roles of mother and farm wife, sharing the responsibilities of farming with her husband.
Seven children kept her busy during the early part of her life, and she always played an active and vital part in her children's lives, especially in their various sporting events and school functions. In May 1980, Mary lost Joe, her life partner.
Opening another door in her life Mary shouldered the responsibility of carrying on the family tradition that she and Joe had created for their children. She instilled in all of them what they should do to take care of themselves; self-reliance would make them stronger. More importantly, her children learned that they should have compassion for others and be willing to help those in need, whether they were asked or not. With the enormous burden of action as both role model and mentor, Mary took on an added challenge, earning her own high school diploma and continuing her undergraduate studies.
As a paraprofessional, Mary became involved with education at Beloit High School, and during those twenty years she tutored numerous children, helping them attain their goals. Consequently, just as she instilled in her own children a sense of values, she gave her students a sense of self-worth, always putting her students ahead of her own needs and giving them an idea of how special they are.
Not only did Mary have an important impact on her children and students; she also has twenty-two grandchildren and eighteen great grandchildren that benefit from her wealth of experience and knowledge. She has also passed her sense of humor on down through the line. Over the years she opened her home to crowds of very active people, hosting family reunions and holiday parties. Her hospitality knew no boundaries.
Mary converted to Catholicism and became a very devout parishioner of St John the Baptist Catholic Church. She was a woman of great faith and was active in the Ladies Guild.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Joe and her beloved granddaughter Amber Leigh Stroede. Left to mourn her passing and celebrate her life are her children Tony Sahlfeld and wife Shirley Maxwell of Knob Noster, MO, Kathleen O'Neil of Manhattan, KS, Bear Sahlfeld and spouse Yadi Flannery of Santa Fe, NM, Debi Coburn of Beloit, Peggy Askins and husband Greg of Hays, Mark Sahlfeld and wife Sharon Hesket of Beloit, Tammy Eilert and husband Allen of Beloit; two sisters Margaret Pahls of Coppel, TX, Opal Budke of Lindsborg, KS; her grandchildren, great grandchildren and a host of many relatives and friends.

Funeral services are at 10:00 AM Monday, December 27 at St. John's Catholic Church in Beloit. Visitation is from 1:00 to 5:00 PM Sunday at the McDonald Funeral Home. A vigil service is at 7:00 PM at the Church. Memorials may be given to Cystic Fibrosis or the St. John's Memorial Trust Fund.