Mary Ellen Diehm

Mary Ellen (Wimp) Diehm was born in Cherokee County, Kansas, to James Al Wimp and Rosa Ellen (Page) Wimp on October 28, 1937. She passed away peacefully on November 28, 2023, at age 86, in Olathe, Kansas.

Mary was preceded in death by her husband, Otis Jay Diehm, her parents, Al and Ellen Wimp, and her brother, Ethan Wimp. She was survived by Linda Carol Weerts (David), Robert Jay Diehm (Karen), and Otis Russell Diehm (Suki). Her grandchildren include Otis Jacob Diehm, Jessica Diehm, Richard Weerts (Hailey), Courtney Rickert (Kyle), Natasha Diehm, and Lisa Diehm, along with four step-grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and 9 step-great-grandchildren, brothers, Donald Wimp and William Wimp, sister, Rosa Saffel, plus many nieces and nephews.

There are many stories about her childhood, including living on a farm, learning to swim by being thrown in the pond by her older brothers, and experiencing polio. Each time the stories were told, more details of Mary’s childhood would emerge, revealing a fun and wild upbringing.

After high school, Mary boarded a bus to the big city - Kansas City. Within six months of living in Kansas City, Mary encountered her one true love, Otis Jay of Parker, Kansas. After a brief romance, Mary and Otis were married in Oswego, Kansas, on January 20, 1957. Shortly after the birth of their daughter, Linda, they relocated from Strawberry Hill in Kansas City, Kansas, to Overland Park, Kansas. After 58 years in her Overland Park home, Mary moved to Olathe, Kansas, to live with her son, Otis Russell. Mary took the love of gardening to Olathe and continuously cared for her son’s gardens until her passing.

Mary retired as head baker from the Shawnee Mission School District. Mary was renowned for her cookies and cinnamon rolls that she lovingly baked for the students. Her passion for baking was passed down to her grandchildren as she taught them how to make cakes and cookies. During her retirement years, Mary enjoyed her family, especially her grandchildren, and rocked her great-grandchildren in the family rocker.

Mary’s Celebration of Life is at 11 am on Saturday, December 2, 2023, and visitation to follow from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM at McGilley & Frye Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 105 E. Loula Street, Olathe, KS 66061.

Instead of flowers, the family would request donations to the Olathe Public School Foundation or your local public school in her memory.