Mary Lee Tuttle-Sulsar

Mary Lee Tuttle Sulsar was born December 20, 1934, in the family home, on a farm south of Tipton, Kansas, to Harry Smith and Hilda (Wiese) Smith. In addition to her mother and father, Mary Lee had 2 older sisters, Helen and Carole. She passed away in the Mitchell County Hospital, in Beloit, Kansas on July 31, 2025, at the age of 90 years.

Mary Lee attended grade school and high school in Hunter, Kansas.  She graduated from Hunter High School in 1952 where she loved participating in all school activities with basketball being one of her favorites.  In 1935, when her family moved to the farm where Mary Lee presently has her home, 2 miles west of Hunter, she also slipped across the road to attend a country school long before she was old enough to attend.

After High School, George Tuttle came home from the Army, after serving in World War 2.  This sparked a mutual interest which led to their marriage on October 17, 1954.  This union was blessed with two daughters, Janet and Lynn. They made their home where Mary grew up, and where she continued to live throughout her life.

During their married life, together, Mary Lee enjoyed driving the truck during harvest time and growing many beautiful flowers and vegetables.  She and George built the addition to their home and did most of the carpenter work themselves. They enjoyed many wonderful bus trips together and made lifelong friends on these trips.  They also enjoyed landscaping and Mary Lee, especially loving her rock garden, talked George into bringing a rock home from every vacation they went on.   This past summer, at the age of 90, Mary Lee still was gardening and teaching her daughters the way to prune, weed, fertilize and water her flowers to make them beautiful.  Short-cuts with the garden hose was not allowed.  All pots needed watered with a bucket!  In addition to farming with George and gardening, Mary Lee also was a great seamstress.  She made everything for her girls, from casual to formal clothing.  She raised Golden Retrievers for many years.  Many youth group young people enjoyed Mary as a sponsor and her house was the coffee-stopping place for all of our Pastors traveling between Downs and Hunter. During some of these coffee stop visits, she grew especially fond of Pastor David Boone and wife Jeri and she and George were honored to be Baptismal sponsors for their children.  Throughout her life, Mary Lee never missed an activity of her daughters, her grandchildren or her great grandchildren.  She was so proud of them for their accomplishments and was very active in her role as matriarch of the family, teaching them values and the importance of church and family.

Mary Lee was the church organist for approximately 60 years, being self-taught for the most part.  Music became a major part of her family as everyone learned to sing and play an instrument.  Mary Lee and George were confirmed and faithful members of the Trinity Lutheran Church and served in many capacities with the LWML being an important part of her service.  She worked outside the home for many years as a bank teller for the Farmers State Bank of Hunter.  She brightened the day as she visited with everyone who came in the door.

After George's death, Mary Lee found another great man to love in Lyle Sulsar.  They had many wonderful years together until Lyle also passed away.  Lyle brought her great joy with his humor and wit.  He also added his own family to hers and she found joy in her visits with his children and grandchildren.

Mary Lee will be remembered as the most kind-hearted, caring and selfless person that anyone could ever hope to meet.  She was very strong as she demonstrated throughout every trial that came her way.  She made friends easily as she made people feel cared for and was led by her faith in Christ Jesus.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Harry and Hilda; her sisters, Carole Houghton and Helen Smith; her husbands, George Tuttle and Lyle Sulsar; and a granddaughter, Shannon Lee Seehafer.  Left to celebrate her life are her beloved daughters, Janet Seehafer and husband, Rod; Lynn Wacker and husband, David;; Four Grandchildren:  Jason Seehafer and wife, Darci; Mary Hlad and Husband, Zach; Erin Nadler and husband, Jason; and Ryan Wacker and wife Melissa;  Great-Grandchildren:  Nash, Briggs, Lennox and Kelvi Seehafer; Cason, Camden and Witten Hlad; Bryn and Blake Nadler; Kim, Lee Allie, Peyton and Ryler Wacker; Nieces:  Anne Houghton and Camie Ingelin and Nephew: Eugene Tuttle, along with a host of other dear friends.

Funeral services will be at 10 AM Tuesday, August 5 at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Hunter. Visitation with family will be from 5-7 PM Monday, August 4 at the Roberts Family Funeral Home. Per her request, the casket will remain closed. Memorials may be given to the Trinity Lutheran Church.