Mary Bernice Hosey

Funeral services for Mary Hosey will be 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, January 28, 2025, at the Bible Baptist Church with Pastor John Clapp officiating. Burial will be in the Lone Star Cemetery, Pretty Prairie, Kansas, at 2:00 p.m. under the direction of Marshall Funeral Home of Alva. Mary Bernice Balenseifen Hosey was born August 30, 1934, to Homer Martin and Pearl Bernice (Pierce) Balenseifen, in Okeene, Oklahoma, and passed away January 25, 2025, at her home in Alva at the age of 90 years, 4 months, and 25 days. Mary attended Watonga Public Schools, graduating from high school in 1953. After graduation, she worked at St. Anthony Hospital as a bookkeeper for several years. Her father read in the “OK City Times” that there was a shortage of teachers. Therefore, she attended Southwestern Oklahoma State University graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree and receiving her Masters of Education also. She married Donald Dee Hosey on May 16, 1959 and two sons were born: Donald Keith Hosey and James Ray “Jamey” Hosey. Mary taught at Anthony, Coldwater, Protection, and Wilmore, Kansas at their middle schools. Later she taught at Carmen/ Dacoma School, Alva Middle School, and Lincoln Elementary. Mary loved teaching. It was one of the loves of her life. While teaching, she used mnemonic devices. Many students and teachers told her how well the students remembered her devices. She retired in 1999. She liked to help when there was a person in need. “I shall go through this world but once. If there be any kindness or good I can do, let me do now for I shall not pass through this world again.” “Be and look prepared. Be a person of integrity. Never break your word. Don’t have two sets of standards. Stand up for your students. Show them you care.” Red Averbach. Besides her parents, Homer and Pearl Balenseifen, she was preceded in death by her husband, Don Hosey; her son, Jamey Hosey; and her brother, Homer Martin Balenseifen, Jr. Mary is survived by her son, Keith Hosey and wife, Shelly; four grandchildren, Jacque Ruhl, Nicole Nantze, Justin Hosey, and Shelby Hosey; twelve great grandchildren, Destiny Peffly, Drake Peffly, Jaren Peffly, Jonathan Peffly, Jordan Malone, Skylar Hosey, Caitlin Chappell, Andrew Hosey, Bethany Ruhl, Logan Hosey, Jaxson Peffly; and Owen Hosey; other relatives and friends. Memorial contributions may be made through the funeral home to the American Diabetes Association.

Mary Bernice Hosey

August 30, 1934 - January 25, 2025