Howard county resident Mary Rohlfing passed away peacefully March 21, 2025 at the Lodge in Fayette, MO where she had been a resident for several years.

Mary I. Rohlfing was born one of 12 children on January 25, 1930, in Fayette to Lance and Ethel Lane (Johnson) Overstreet. She grew up 7th of 12 siblings. They all helped on the farm, in the fields and garden growing up, older siblings helping raise the younger ones since their parents both worked. She was active at New Franklin High School as a twirler with the band and loved “running around” with her friends. She was introduced to her soon-to-be husband, Norman Rohlfing, by her best friend Vallee Jean Rohlfing. Mary and Norman married July 17, 1949 after Mary graduated from High School. Mary and Norman were inseparable with her following him to live in Germany during his Korean Conflict deployment, taking their young son, Chris with her. Back in Howard County, Mary was a loving mom, helped Norman with his farming, and was always active in the church, initially at First Baptist Church, then moving to Grace Fellowship in 2000. She worked in the nursery, with GAs, Vacation Bible School, and sang in the choir. Mary loved to decorate her home and yard and organized great Halloween parties for the church and friends. Mary never missed an activity that her children were involved in, supporting band, theater and athletics for both Chris and Christy. Mary went into the workforce when she turned 65 years old starting in the Toddler room at Precious Cargo in Midway, then moving to work with Kelly Clayton in that daycare. She was “Grandma Mary” to a multitude of youth in the area. 

After a broken hip, she moved into The Lodge in Fayette where she jumped into activities with both feet. She loved BINGO, dominos, bible study and was out of her room every day interacting with other residents. She made quite an impact on everyone she met, especially the young workers at the Lodge. She was Grandma Mary to all. If asked, she would say that she was a Christian and loved God with all her heart and lived her life as a testimony to others. She will be missed by family and friends.

Survivors include her two children, Chris (Terri) Rohlfing of Fayette and Christy Rohlfing-Allie of Ozawkie, KS, two grandchildren: Kelley (Aaron) Rohlfing-Marchbanks and Patrick (Sara) Allie, three great-grand-children: Lillian Marchbanks, Walker and Weston Allie, two sisters: Sarah Bratton of Topeka, Kansas and Betty DeYoung or Columbia.  She had numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and great-nephews. Besides her parents and husband she was preceded in death by her son-in-law, Stephen Allie and nine siblings: Jesse King, Ruben Fleet, Bobbie Josephine Johnson, Helen Rose Kimbrell Gibbs, Pearl Lucille Allen, Vivian Lee “Biddy” Street, Martha Sue Smith, Lance “Buddy “ Overstreet, Kenneth David Overstreet, various nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.

There will be a Celebration of Life to be held on Sunday May 25, 2025 at Grace Fellowship Church at 2pm. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to The Lodge, St Jude Children’s Hospital or a charity of your choice in Mary’s name, c/o Friemonth-Freese Funeral Service, 174 Hwy. 5 & 240 N., Fayette, MO 65248.  Online condolences may be shared at friemonthfreesefuneralservice.com.