Mary Sue (Fuhrman) Wendt was born February 6, 1963, to George and Lulu (Kleppe) Fuhrman at Hiawatha Community Hospital in Hiawatha, Kansas. Mary passed away unexpectedly March 12, 2026, in Harrison, Arkansas.

Mary grew up on her parents’ farm in Brown County along with her four siblings. A bright child, she was a Cracker Jack spelling award winner in grade school. She graduated from Hiawatha High School in 1981, then attended Baker University in Baldwin City, Kansas, where she obtained her bachelor’s degree in sociology and psychology in three years, earning a 4.0 grade average. She then attended Avila University in Kansas City, Missouri, where she received her master’s degree in psychology.

She met Bill Wendt at Baker Univ and they were married. They shared two children, Kailey and Dustin. Mary and Bill later divorced.

After obtaining her master’s, Mary worked in social work in Lawrence, Kansas. She then ran an in-home daycare when her children were young. Once her children were in grade school she worked for several years as a social worker for the state of Kansas in Lawrence. She later moved to Goodland, Kansas, to work as a vocational rehabilitation counselor for the state of Kansas.

Mary retired in 2023 and moved to Harrison to be near her grandchildren. She loved being a partner in crime in Sage and Jasper’s shenanigans and dressing up as different flamboyant characters with them. She also worked part-time and developed a circle of friends in Harrison in the few years she lived there.

Mary is survived by her children, Kailey (Josiah) Smith, of Harrison, AR, and Dustin Wendt, of Lawrence, KS; her grandchildren, Sage Smith and Jasper Smith, of Harrison; her siblings, Roger (Kathy) Fuhrman, Vickie (Andy) Walker, Terry (Jennifer) Fuhrman and Linda (Brian) Young; as well as a gaggle of nieces and nephews.

Mary had a quirky sense of humor, an infectious life, and an ability to love her grandchildren extravagantly.

A memorial service will be held Apri 4, 2026, in Hiawatha with time and place to be announced.

On-line condolences can be left at www.coffmanfh.com.