Mary Frances Richards (Hussong)

Mary Frances (Hussong) Richards

March 23, 1939 ~ August 29, 2014

Mary Frances (Hussong) Richards, 75, of Montrose, Colorado, passed away on Friday, August 29, 2014.  Mary was born in Danville, Illinois on March 23, 1939 to the late Frances and Ralph Hussong. Mary attended Iowa State University where she met her husband Charles Thomas Richards. Tom and Mary married on July 24, 1960 in Deerfield, Illinois.

A talented quilter, caring friend and tireless volunteer, Mary contributed greatly to her family, friends and community. Her life is distinguished by many personal, professional and civic achievements. Tom and Mary lived in Minneapolis for more than 30 years where they raised their four children and served as Boy Scout and Girl Scout leaders and were active in the Lion’s Club of St. Louis Park, Minnesota. Mary served as President of the Lionesses in St. Louis Park.

In 1973, Mary joined the secretarial pool at Miller Publishing Company and worked her way up to the Director of Marketing position. She retired from Miller in 1997 after 22 years of service.

As retirees, Tom and Mary moved to the Durango, Colorado area in 1996 where they lived for nearly 16 years. While in Durango, Mary instituted the Kids Sight Program through the Lion’s Club of Durango. The couple enjoyed doing crafts together including hand crafting wooden toys and embroidered goods.

Tom and Mary moved to Montrose, Colorado in 2012 and continued to enjoy crafting together and serving the community. Mary often quilted, sewed and knitted for charities—including knitted caps and scarves for babies, bandanas for firefighters and quilts for charities.

Mary is survived by her sister Ellen (Hussong) Voyles of Moraga, California and four children: Janet Kerby of Phoenix, Arizona, Jeff Richards of Mesa, Arizona, Darrell (Christina) Richards of Henderson, Nevada, and Kristina Jahn of Big Lake, Minnesota. She is also survived by four grandchildren: Chase Kerby of Phoenix, Arizona, Cassandra Jahn of Big Lake, Minnesota, and Allison and David Richards of Henderson, Nevada. Mary is preceded in death by her parents Frances and Ralph Hussong, and son-in-law Boyd Jahn.  A celebration of Mary’s life will be held on Saturday, March 28, 2015 in Montrose, Colorado at their home.  Arrangements are under the care of Crippin Funeral Home & Crematory, Montrose, Colorado.