Mary Elizabeth Holke, age 72, of Springfield, MO passed away Saturday, June 4, 2016. Mary was born July 27, 1943 to John and Frances (Johnson) Carson in Springfield, MO and grew up there. She attended Elfindale and St. Agnes High School. She earned her degree in Physical Education from Kansas State University, and it was there that she met Steven D. Holke. Mary and Steven were married in Springfield, MO on August 14, 1965. They lived in Dayton, OH, Detroit, MI, and Ellsworth, KS raising their three daughters and one son.

Mary took delight in caring for their children, volunteering at school, helping with music, sports, cheer, swim, scouts, and many other activities her children were involved in. Later in life, Mary trained to become a licensed Massage Therapist. For 25 years Mary blessed people with her soothing and healing touch. Music was a special talent as she sang, played piano and taught lessons, and learned the harp.

Mary was blessed with 11 grandchildren who kept her busy with their activities and family events. She loved every minute of being their Nana. Her faith and family were the focus of her life – she gave of her time and love willingly, happily and unselfishly.

Mary was a highly dedicated member of the Catholic diocese and participated in prayer groups, eucharistic ministry, and volunteered in a variety of ways in the community. She was a member of St. Francis de Sales, was a hospice volunteer, and volunteered at Mercy Hospital in the NICU. She also organized volunteer groups to give massages for clergy members, including Sisters of Little Portion.

Steve and Mary celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 2015. One of their favorite annual trips for decades was to Florida in January. Day to day they were devoted to each other and their family. One of Mary's great pleasures was celebrating holidays, family birthdays and events. She especially enjoyed annual family Fourth of July gatherings at her home.

She was preceded in death by her parents John and Frances (Johnson) Carson, sisters Catherine Carson and Jody Carson, and sister-in-law Mary Kay Carson.

She is survived by her husband, Steven D. Holke, of Springfield, MO; three daughters, one son and eleven grandchildren: daughter Jennifer M. Mulholland and her husband Andrew Mulholland and their children Carson, Elizabeth of Overland Park, KS, daughter Angela T. Holke and her children Haley, Emma, Benjamin of Grand Island, NE, daughter Melinda A. Jurczak and her husband Mark Jurczak and their children Ryan, Nicholas of Overland Park, KS, son Daniel W. Holke and his wife Lisa Holke and their children Joshua, Lauren, William, Noah of Gretna, NE; her aunt, Sister Jeanne Johnson ACF, five brothers, Jack Carson and his wife Terry, Bill Carson and his wife Linda, George Carson and his wife Patty, Jim Carson and his wife Pat, Richard Carson and his wife Martha; one sister Kathryn Muffley and her husband Gary; 14 nieces and nephews, 27 great nieces and nephews.

The visitation will be Thursday, June 9, 2016 from 6-8pm which includes a rosary at 7:45, at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 2818 E. Bennett St, Springfield, MO. The funeral mass will be Friday, June 10, 2016 at 10am at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, with the graveside service following at St. Mary's Cemetery, W. Mt Vernon St and S Forest Ave under the care of Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home.

If desired in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to either LifeHouse Crisis Maternity Home (424 E Monastery St, Springfield MO, 65807) or to Mercy Villa (1100 E Montclair St, Springfield, MO 65804) with notation "in honor of Mary Holke".