Dateline: Hoisington, Kansas

Mari Jo Ray, 77, died January 3, 2015, at Almost Home, Great Bend, Kansas. She was born September 20, 1937, in Great Bend, Kansas, the daughter of Joseph and Mary (Schneweis) Peschka. Mari Jo attended Hoisington High School. She worked as a telephone operator, and was also a police dispatcher, city cashier, city clerk and city manager.

On September 9, 1954, she married Larry G. Ray in Beaver, Kansas. He died August 26, 1989. A lifetime resident of Hoisington she was a member of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church and the City Clerk Association.

Survivors include: son, Jim Ray and wife Sandy of Hoisington; daughter Jeanie Rodie and husband Shane of Hoisington; six grandchildren, Elysia Bell and husband Jim of Great Bend, Erick Bosquez and husband Cesorio of Seattle, Washington, Ethan Rowley and wife Deidra of Great Bend, Jessica Khalil and husband Sami of Overland Park, Kansas, Jeremiah Ray and wife Lauren of Wichita, and Rhianna Ray of Fort Hood, Texas; and 10 great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by four brothers, Bud, Jack, Jim, and Elmer Peschka, and four sisters, Winnie Krier, Marie Peschka, Jean Erickson and Margaret Peschka.

Funeral service will be 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, January 7, 2015, at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home Chapel, with Father Robert A. Schremmer presiding. Burial will be in Hoisington Cemetery. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., with family to receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, January 6, 2015. Memorials may be made to Almost Home in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home. 415 N. Main, PO Box 146, Hoisington KS 67544.

Condolences may be sent and notice viewed at www.nicholsonrickefh.net