Mary Ellen Funk

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She was known as a very giving person who loved to help others.

Mary Ellen Funk, of Atchison, Kansas, passed away peacefully on October 27, 2026, at the age of 97. She was born on August 21, 1929, in Albany, Missouri, the daughter of Garner F. Young and Ida May (Chip) Young.

Mary Ellen graduated from Albany High School and went on to build a life centered on hard work, family, faith, and kindness to others. She married Donald Lee Funk on September 14, 1957, and he preceded her in death on January 1, 1971. She worked several jobs over the years before spending twenty-one years in the food service department at the Atchison Youth Center. She was known as a very giving person who loved to help others. If someone she knew needed something, she was always ready to assist.

Mary Ellen found joy in the simple and meaningful things of life. She loved to cook and bake, and she especially enjoyed preparing large meals for her whole family and friends to gather and enjoy together. She also enjoyed working in her yard. A member of Atchison United Methodist Church, Mary was involved in many aspects of church life, and her faith was an important part of who she was.

More than anything, Mary treasured time with her family. Spending time with her children and grandchildren was her favorite, and the love she shared with them will remain a lasting gift.

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More than anything, Mary treasured time with her family.

She is survived by her children, Jim Ownby, Shirley Benshoof, Ida Leparski and her husband, Jeff, and Garner “Sam” Funk and his wife Lydia. She is also survived by her seven grandchildren, Andrew, Fred, Jimmy, Mary, Lilly, Mary Kate and Garner, and her nine great grandchildren.

Mary Ellen was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, by her brothers Claude, Sherman “Tink,” Pete, Horace “Doc,” Elbert “Red,” and Bob; by her sisters Winnie, Elizabeth, Lilly, and Peggy; and by her infant son, Tiny Funk.

The Arensberg-Pruett Funeral Home is assisting the family with scheduling a memorial service and will be announced in the coming days. Memorial contributions are suggested to the Atchison United Methodist Church and may be left in care of the funeral home.