April 13, 1941 - July 16, 2025
Mary Ann Ohlemeier, 84, passed away on July 16, 2025. Born in Des Moines, Iowa, and raised in Chicago, Ill., she made Great Bend, Kan. her cherished hometown. There, she raised her family and left a lasting impact on her community.
Mary’s early years were shaped by frequent moves due to her first husband Terry M. Spillar’s career in the oil industry. They lived in Fort Worth and Pasadena, Texas; Mount Carmel, Ill.; and Lansing, Mich., before settling in Great Bend, Kan., in 1968.
Mary and Terry later parted ways, and Terry passed away on Aug. 29, 1994. Mary remarried Don Ohlemeier, who also preceded her in death.
After high school, Mary worked as a church secretary at the Chicago Temple – First United Methodist Church, serving under Reverend Charles Ray Goff. In Great Bend, she focused on raising her children during their early years. At age 60, she answered a calling to become a Methodist minister. She served churches in Pittsburg, Burdett, and Rozel, Kan., and held roles as director of Wesley House and assistant minister in Pittsburg. Her compassion touched many lives.
Mary was one of the original members of Trinity United Methodist Church in Great Bend. After retiring from ministry, she joined First Church of the Nazarene, where she found a spiritual home. Her faith and community commitment defined her life.
Known for her warm heart, Mary cherished her lifelong friends in Great Bend. These friendships were the cornerstone of her life. Her love for family and friends was boundless, and her legacy endures through those she touched.
Mary is survived by her children, William (Mandy) Spillar of Leawood, Kan.; Stephen (Christine) Spillar of Littleton, Colo.; and Sharon Spillar of Kansas City, Mo.. She leaves six grandchildren, Brandon Spillar of Fayetteville, Ark., Lindsey
(Shane) Kramer of Portland, Ore., McKenna Spillar of Casper, Wyo., Riley Spillar of Denver, Colo., Parker (Briana) Henzel of St. Louis, Mo., and Anaïs Spillar Henzel of Kansas City, Mo.
A memorial service in Great Bend will be held at the First Church of the Nazarene, Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025, at 11 a.m. A luncheon will be held after the service. A memorial fund for donations has been established in Mary Ohlemeier’s name at the First Church of the Nazarene, 4811 Broadway Ave., Great Bend, KS 67530.
Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, July 19, 2025
