Mary Frances Roesch

February 7, 1927 - January 27, 2026

Mary Frances Roesch, 98, of Colby, died Tuesday, January 27, 2026. Mary Frances was born of the farm, north of Havensville, Kansas, in Pottawatomie County. The actual locale of her father's farm was known as "the Irish north of Havensville". It is one of a cluster of Irish American settlements in Kansas dating from settlement in the late 1850s and the 1860s.

Like most all pioneers, her immigrant grandparents knew plenty of hardship. Theirs dated back to the worst of the famines in Ireland in the 1840s. And to anti-Irish and anti-Catholic sentiment in places which included New York City.

Mary Frances graduated from Wyandotte High School in Kansas City, Kansas. She quipped from time to time, "We were the best at everything!"

Mary Frances married Dr. Mason Wolf, a young U.S. Navy officer, in 1945. From her very first visit to her new in-laws in Almena (east of Norton) -- where she almost immediately fell victim to one of Tully and Vera Wolf's gentle pranks -- she thought the world of their loving, strong character, good nature, frankness and decades-long devotion to their community.

Mason and Mary Frances moved to Colby (having purchased an optometry practice there) in July of 1946, 80 years ago this July. The optometry practice thrived in the 1950s, with Mary Frances working the front office. She loved working with people! Years later, she explained that she had learned everything she knew about business from the long-established, very wise merchants in downtown Colby during those years. Son Mason and daughter Tenley came along later in the 1950s.

Mary Frances added to her volunteering at the Colby Library and in Suzie Plantz' Methodist Sunday School. She became a Worthy Matron in Eastern Star. And joined Mary Mostad for a time in a women's singing quartet. In time, Mary Frances became a member of Pi Gamma, the federated women's club in Colby. She gave it high priority and belonged for many years. Her approach was active and dedicated, adding her special touches and personality to the many strengths of the group. Year after year.

Before long, Mary Frances, like so many moms in those years, hosted a Cub Scout Pack. She went on to host one of the many Brownie groups as well. Her time as a Scouting mom resulted in one of Mary Frances' many touchstones. She stood by it for decades. In her words, "Every little girl who rings my doorbell for Girl Scout cookies is making a sale. Every one!"

Mary Frances had a lot of good humor. Plenty. She delighted at Bill Piper's good-natured, social fun. She repaid Dale Fleckenstein's little gags on unsuspecting people at Villa High with a highly successful "dribble glass" experience for Doc Fleckenstein at an event of her own.

In 1971, Mary Frances, with the help of Dick Epard and Farmers & Merchants STATE Bank, stepped into a larger role in rentals and housing in Colby. It combined her way with people with her touchstones about square, fair dealings and a keen, optimistic sense of goodwill. With strong management and hard work, the business grew and flourished.

Daughter Tenley, in due course, married Vinnie Glad of Colby. And along came her beloved grandchildren, Treasure and Tanner, both of whom she cherished. Mary Frances also cherished and was dedicated to her neighbors on Sunset Drive. She described them over and over as "just the best", beginning in 1963.

In later years, Mary Frances married L.A. "Bud" Roesch (say: RUSH). Bud was the love of her life. They shared playful good judgement, an outgoing good nature, loyalty and all the essential traits of good character. May They Rest in Peace.

An internment service for Mary Frances Roesch, for all friends and family, is set for Tuesday afternoon, February 3rd, 2026, in Colby's Beulah Cemetery at 2:00 p.m. Pastor Rodgers of Colby United Methodist Church will preside.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial gifts to a project near and dear to Mary Frances' heart. Namely, help with leveling of the 100+ year old native stone footings at the historic St. Patrick's church at Coal Creek cemetery, where all of Mary Frances' family are buried. It is a place she has always loved with all her heart. Memorial gifts of any size may be sent to: St. Patrick's Historical Society, C/O Donna Bryant, 157 1st Road, Onaga, Kansas 66521.

A Celebration of Life for Mary Frances will be held for ALL friends and family on Saturday afternoon, February 21, 2026, from 2:00 to 4:00 o'clock in Colby at the home of Tenley and Vinnie Glad, 935 S. Range Ave. (directly across from the Pizza Hut). Pastor Rodgers will lead a blessing at 2:30. The event is come-and-go. Please join us. Drop by at any point. For information or condolences visit baalmannmortuary.com