Mary A. Howsden, age 77, passed away Thursday morning, December 9, 2010, at Riverview Manor in Oxford, KS. Mary was a retired Registered Nurse and a former Wellington resident.

Mary A. Howsden was born on June 15, 1933 in South Haven, KS to Clarence Knox and Gretchen (Ramsey) Knox.

On May 27, 1958 she married Merle W. Howsden at the First United Methodist Church Chapel in Wellington, KS.

She enjoyed spending time with her children and grandchildren and also loved to sew and go fishing.

She is preceded in death by her parents and two brothers, Kendall and Richard Knox.

Survivors include her husband, Merle of Oxford, KS; three children, Arthur Howsden of Wellington, KS, Tonya LaValley and her husband Mike of Wellington, KS, and Terri Selvidge of Oxford, KS; brother, John Knox of Wichita, KS; three sisters, Jean Staggs of Newton, KS, Judith Daub of Fountain, CO, and Iris Whitley of Wellington, KS; five grandchildren, Tricia Watkins of Kelseyville, CA, Michael LaValley, Shawna Parent, Erica Parent, and Zach Parent all of Wellington, KS; one great grandchild, Makayla LaValley of Phoenix, AZ.

There will be no visitation as cremation has taken place.

A memorial service will be held on Monday, December 20, 2010 at 11:00 A.M. at Prairie Lawn Cemetery.

A memorial has been established with Riverview Manor in Oxford, KS. Contributions can be left at the funeral home.

Frank Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.