Mary Elizabeth Staab

Mary Elizabeth (Ball) Staab November 20, 1934 – September 11, 2025

Mary Elizabeth Staab, 90, of Rose Hill, Kansas, passed away peacefully on September 11, 2026, at Kansas Medical Center in Andover.

Born November 20, 1934, in Topeka, Kansas, Mary was the daughter of Morris and Oletha (Figgs) Ball. After graduating high school in Topeka, she worked in various administrative roles throughout the Wichita area. Among the companies she served were Teledyne, where she met her husband Jerry, and United Roofing.

On September 17, 1977, Mary married Gerald “Jerry” Staab, and together they shared nearly 50 years of love, laughter, and adventure. Mary especially enjoyed traveling the western United States with Jerry on his Honda Gold Wing and was an enthusiastic member of the Gold Wing Touring Association.

Mary treasured the farm where she and Jerry made their home. A true lover of nature and animals, she took pride in caring for livestock, particularly the spring calves, and delighted in her nightly ritual of feeding and visiting with her beloved barn cats.

Devoted to her community, Mary gave generously of her time and talents. She was a devout member of the Catholic Church, most recently attending Saint James the Greater Catholic Church in Augusta where she was always willing to lend a hand. She also took particular pride in her volunteer work caring for and improving Richland Cemetery. Her kindness, dedication, and willingness to serve left a lasting impression on all who knew her.

Mary is survived by her husband, Jerry; daughters Roxie Powell (Ken Soupene) and Cindy Mayfield (Phil Zeman); foster daughter Diane Kurtz; and grandchildren Mike and Eric Soupene, Lindsay Tarpley (Adam), and Justin Snodgrass (Kathy). She was preceded in death by her parents, Morris Ball and Oletha (Figgs) Fager.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at www.stjude.org/donate.

Visitation will be held on Monday, September 15th from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM and the Rosary to follow at 7:00 PM both at Smith Family Mortuary 1415 N. Rock Rd, Derby, Kansas 67037

Rosary at 9:30 AM and Mass to follow at 10:00 AM, both at St. Anthony Roman Catholic Church 258 N Ohio Ave, Wichita, KS 67214

Burial will take place at 1:00 PM at Ascension Cemetery 7200 E 45th St N, Bel Aire, KS 67226