Mary Louise Beltz

She is survived by her son Bob Beltz (Pam), daughter Laurie Smith (Craig), three grandchildren Shawn Beltz (Shanna), Dylan Shaffer and Daniel Shaffer, and two great-grandchildren Emma Beltz and James Beltz.

Mary Louise was born January 10, 1924 in Independence, MO to Augustus Mayfield Riley and Annie Elizabeth Norton Riley. She had two brothers, Robert and Norton. Mary Louise was a lifelong member of the Presbyterian Church. After graduating from Park College in 1945, she was an English teacher in Macedonia, Iowa for two years. In addition to teaching English, she taught a Sociology class and directed the junior and senior plays. She also helped the music teacher direct an operetta. She taught English one more year in Atchison, KS.

Mary Louise always thought she would like to work in the church by going to seminary and becoming a Christian Education Director. To save money for this, she worked as a church secretary at Roanoke Presbyterian Church where her plans changed when she met Bob Beltz who was also working at the church. The church members thought their relationship was quite romantic. They had 64 years together before his death in 2014.

Mary Louise was a Bluebird and Camp Fire Girl leader for many years. When her children were older, Mary Louise went back to work as a church secretary at Leawood Presbyterian Church and later worked in the business office at Johnson County Community College until she retired in 1989. She was active in many Presbyterian women's groups and Bible studies and was a member of Chapter EL of P.E.O. Over the years Mary Louise enjoyed sewing, knitting, reading, doing crossword puzzles, and taking walks with her husband.