Mary was born May 11th 1928 to Jacob August and Blanche Mary DeGonia Zulauf in North Kansas City, Missouri, the youngest of 4 children. She grew up in North Kansas City, Missouri, graduated from North Kansas City High School and attended William Jewell College in Liberty, Missouri. Mary married Robert Lewis Clay of North Kansas City, Missouri, on October 14th, 1949, who was the love of her life and sweetheart since 7th grade. To this union were born seven children, 3 sons and 4 daughters. She was a devoted, nurturing mother with a kind and giving heart. Mary maintained their home domestically and was an incredible cook and an avid knitter. She was a member of St. Charles Catholic Church, Gladstone, Missouri. Preceding her in death are her parents, Jacob and Blanche, her spouse, Robert, brothers, Jack and Robert Zulauf.
Survivors include her sister Ruth Zulauf Hess of Carthage, Missouri, children: Michael (Irma Hayden) Clay of Prairie Village, Kansas, Christopher (Bobbi Davis) Clay of Kansas City, Missouri, Charlotte (David) Claussen of Bethany, Missouri, Barbie (Aaron Shultz) Clay of Liberty, Missouri, Nancy (Shan) Lynn of Kansas City North, Missouri, Jenny Bradfield of Gladstone, Missouri, and Timothy (Karol Petry) Clay of Arlington, Texas; 11 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren: Jeremiah (Alicia Dryer) Claussen of Liberty, Missouri and great-grandson Parker, Charles (Jill Claterbos) Clay and great-granddaughter Elizabeth of Overland Park, Kansas, Rebekah (Aaron) Claussen Speakman of Coos Bay, Oregon and great-granddaughters Paige, Isabelle and Hailey, Megan (Justin) Clay Phillips of Clinton, Missouri and great-grandson Clayton, Erin (Ryan) Clay Thousand of Aurora, Colorado and great-grandson Oliver and great-granddaughter Eloise, Austin Lynn of Columbia, Missouri and Ryan Lynn of Durango, Colorado, Katherine Claussen (Chase Thompson) of Blythedale, Missouri and great grand-daughter Kynley, and Max Fazio, Samuel and Joseph Clay Arlington, Texas and many nieces and nephews.
The Mass of Christian Burial is 10:00 AM Saturday, August 30th at St Charles Catholic Church; burial in Greenlawn Cemetery, Plattsburg, MO. Visitation is scheduled from 5-8 PM Friday at the McGilley Antioch Chapel. The family suggests contribution to the North Kansas City Hospice House, Leukemia and Lymphoma Society or a charity of the donor’s choice.
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