Mary Ellen Shank Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Mary Ellen Shank, 86 left to walk hand in hand with the angels on Saturday, June 18, 2022, at age 86 at Grand Plains Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation of Pratt. She was born at the family home southwest of St. John on December 24, 1935. She died after a valiantly fought long illness. Her pain is now gone as she rejoices in heaven. Predeceased by her mother Cora Helen Waters, father Harry Judah Waters, sister Harriet (B.D) McAnally, brother Ernest (Alice) Waters. She is survived by her loving husband, Robert Shank and her surviving children Theryne (Steve) Schwartz of Colwich and Kevyn Shank of Pratt. Mary Ellen attended rural Livingston Grade School. She was a Polio survivor and as a child was in an iron lung ventilator for many months. She was a graduate of St. John High School and McPherson College, a private college associated with the Church of the Brethren. She taught 4th grade at Johnson Elementary, Johnson, KS before she married the love of her life Robert. On March 17th, 1957, she married Robert Henry Shank at The Eden Valley Church of the Brethren in St. John, KS. Her only regret is leaving Robert, whom she loved completely and faithfully for 65 years. Mary Ellen was active in the Federation of Democratic Women of Kansas where she served as State President and Vice-President for many years. She also served as Governor Robert B. Docking’s alternate delegate at the Democratic National Convention in Florida. She was Director of the Girls Club in Bartlesville, OK when the family lived in Oklahoma. She retired from Plus Six Hallmark Stores Pratt KS. Mary Ellen loved crossword puzzles, reading, painting, gardening, and genealogy. She was a member of Daughters of the American Revolution and Daughters of Union Soldiers. Her love of animals her cats, dogs & horses but her greatest love above all else was her family. The family would like to thank the dedicated doctors and nurses at the Pratt Regional Medical Center and Grand Plains Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation and Interim Hospice Health Care for their unparalleled compassion for her and her family. A graveside celebration service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, June 29, 2022 at Neelands Cemetery, Southwest 40th Street, St. John, KS with John Hamm presiding. Memorials may be made to Interim Health Care in care of Larrison Mortuary, 300 Country Club Road, Pratt.

Mary Ellen Shank

December 24, 1935 - June 18, 2022