Mary Willems Obituary

In loving memory of Mary Ann Willems July 31st 1950 - September 8th 2025.

Mary Willems, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, Oma, daughter, sister, aunt and friend.

She passed away peacefully surrounded by her husband and children on Sept 8th 2025

Mary, the youngest of 4 siblings was born as the only daughter of Glen and Marian Freeman in Lawrence, Kansas on July 31st, 1950. Mary met her one and only love and husband Hank Willems at Lawrence High School at the tender age of 16. These two high school sweethearts tied the knot on November 21, 1970 and embarked on their 55 year long marriage. They welcomed their first child, Jason on February 9th, 1973 and then two years later they welcomed their second child, Amanda on January 28th, 1975. Together as a family they enjoyed an adventurous life! As a family, they always put God as the center of their lives and He blessed them with joy and happiness. They experienced many adventures traveling around the globe as a couple. They vacationed in Japan, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Hawaii And Europe.

They also made time every year to enjoy family vacations with the children from camping, the Ozarks and amusement parks around the US.

At the beginning of their marriage Hank worked and attended college at KU while Mary worked in health care. She enjoyed working with the elderly, but her passion was working at LMH OBGYN. She loved caring for, and helping deliver new born babies. She was a staff and patient favorite.

Then, in the early 90s Hank and Mary started a real estate publication called the "Home Hunters Guide. They worked side by side for 20 plus years and enjoyed the success of owning their own business and owning and managing their rental properties. They built several beautiful custom homes that Hank designed and built and Mary beautifully decorated. They retired in 2007 to pursue their passion and love of traveling. They RV'ed around the country and were able to visit their children and grandchildren. They purchased a second vacation home in New Mexico in 2016 and engaged in many activities such as rock hunting and mining for gems and gold. They finally settled back into their Lawrence country life, where they cultivated a beautiful outdoor paradise for the surrounding wildlife, especially the hummingbirds which Mary lovingly called her babies.

Although she experienced pain and was limited physically in her last years, she was still joyful, loving, beautiful and endlessly entertaining. She had a zest for life, loved to laugh and make others laugh, adored her children and grandchildren, was colorful and unique. Most importantly, she remained deeply in love with her one and only sweetheart, Hank. Together they shared a life that most only dream about. Her humor, outgoing nature and the unconditional love she had for her family and friends will be terribly missed by those of us lucky enough to be a part of her beautiful and incredibly special life.

She is survived in the home by her husband Hank Willems. Other survivors include son Jason and wife Nancy Willems and their three children, Reed, Erickson and Crew. Her daughter Amanda (Willems) and husband Dustin Hoffman and their two children Ramie Jo and Christian. Her two older brothers Jim Freeman and Richard Freeman. She is preceded in death by her parents Glen and Marian Freeman, brother Glen Freeman Jr. and in-laws Nick and Ineke Willems and grandson Austin Hoffman.

Her celebration of life will be held at Rev City Church 700 Wakarusa Dr Lawrence, Ks.

Saturday October 11th from 2-4pm. Snacks and refreshments. Mary was at home in jeans and a T-shirts, so dress casually. Please RSVP to [email protected].

Instead of flowers we ask that donations be made to "International Connection" in care of Warren McElwain Mortuary 120 W 13th St, Lawrence, Kansas 66044 in Mary Willems name.

This is a student Christian outreach organization for who Mary used to cook meals.