Mary Anna (McElroy) Wacker, 83, of Winfield, Kansas, passed away Saturday afternoon, April 29, 2023, at Cumbernauld Village.

She was the oldest of four children born to Carl and Madelaine (Marten) McElroy, on June 14, 1939 at St. Mary's Hospital in Winfield.  She grew up on a farm in the Akron community and was baptized and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church.

She was united in marriage to Paul Wacker on Thanksgiving Day, November 26, 1959 at Trinity Lutheran Church.  She was a full-time housewife and mom, in addition to working a short-time as secretary at Trinity Lutheran and in the kitchen at St. John's College.  Her social life was mostly church and school related.  Mary and Paul spent many hours at Trinity, helping with remodeling, cooking for crowds, and helping with PTL functions.  Giving their children a Christian education was very important to them.  Paul preceded her in death on August 24, 1991.

She baked and decorated cakes for many years on her own, and later with her daughter, Becky.  Her baking skills were appreciated by many, baking pies for Biederman's Restaurant and always having a pan of cinnamon rolls ready for any occasion.  Her other love was her family, she loved children, if she wasn't in the kitchen, she was holding or playing with her grandchildren.  She loved to make things for them and to teach them how to bake.  In her later years, as dementia took its toll, the two things that would bring joy to her face were sweets and the hugs from children.  Mary was also involved with LWML and was the AAL branch secretary for many years.  Her other activities included Quilt Guild, Election Board, Fair Auxiliary, and bus travel.

Her family includes her children, Becky Waldorf and husband, Rick of Winfield; Paula Kane and husband, Stephen of Kansas City, MO; Carol Stucki and husband, Robert of Clarksville, TN; John Wacker and wife, Jennifer of Rose Hill; her brother Tom McElroy and wife, Cathy of Wichita; her grandchildren, Brian Waldorf of Wichita; Rachael Hundley and husband, Micah of Olathe; Kari Cates of Winfield; Maci Kane of Kansas City, MO; Luci Kane of Winfield; Reece Kane of Kansas City, MO; Parker Kane of Kansas City, MO; Leo Kane of Kansas City, MO; Jacob Stucki and wife, Allison of Clarksville, TN; Sariah Walker and husband, Zachary of Fairbanks, AK; Nicole Ferguson and husband, Jesse of Burden; Meagan Chandler and husband, Kolbi of Wichita; Lauren Wacker of Derby; 14 great grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents and husband, Mary was preceded in death by a son, Michael Wacker, twin daughters, Annette and Janette, and two brothers, Larry and Roger McElroy.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, May 4, 2023, at 10:00 A.M. at Trinity Lutheran Church in Winfield.  Interment will follow at Highland Cemetery.  A visitation is scheduled at Miles Funeral Service on Wednesday from 4 to 8 P.M.  The family will greet visitors from 5:30 to 7:30 that evening.

A memorial has been established in Mary's name for Trinity Lutheran School.  Contributions may be made through the funeral home.

Mary's funeral service will be livestreamed by Trinity Lutheran Church and available to be viewed at the following link: