On Tuesday December 30, 2025, Mary Gotobed, 100 years old, with her children at her side went home to be with Jesus due to complications from pneumonia.
On March 14, 1925, Mary Margaret Loftin was born at home on the farm in Vista, Missouri to Jim Loftin (1898-1964) and Della Loftin (1903-1974).
She graduated from Osceola High School, before moving to Kansas City in 1942.
In June 1944, Mary met a sailor stationed at Olathe Naval Air Station and married Harold (Gus) Gotobed (1920-2001) on January 10, 1946. They purchased their first home and moved to Shawnee, Kansas in April 1951, where they raised two sons, Daniel Neal (Dan) and Charles Randolph (Chuck).
In 1990, Mary retired from Universal Underwriters Insurance Company and she and Harold moved to a new home in Lenexa, Kansas. In 2017, Mary moved to her apartment in Shawnee, Kansas where she lived on her own until her passing.
She is a member of Lenexa Baptist Church and loved her Encouragers Class. During her retirement years, Mary worked at the Johnson County Election Office. She knitted hats and donated them to Children’s Mercy Hospital each Christmas.
She maintained many long term friendships. She loved spending time with her family. Mary was strong in her Christian faith which was a reflection of the person she was and the life that she led.
Mary was preceded in death by her husband of 55 years, Harold Charles Gotobed, her sisters, Lilly Josephen Lawler, Eleanor Louise Harryman, and brother, Roy Bud Loftin.
She is survived by sons, Daniel (Shawn) and Charles (Dora), five grand children, Michael Gaedtke (Brea), Brad Gotobed (Molly), Stephen Gotobed (Thandie), Molly Gotobed (Matt Rhodes), and Matt Gotobed (Samantha). Brother, Jim Loftin, one Sister Faye Lewis, nieces, nephews, She was also very proud of her six great-grand children, Noah, Roland, Adrian, Romi, Finley, and Naomi.
Services for Mary will be at Lenexa Baptist Church, 15320 W. 87th St Pkwy, Lenexa, Kansas 66219 (park on south side of Church and enter under the steeple).
VISITATION
Tuesday, January 6, 2026
6:30-8:30 PM
SERVICE
Wednesday, January 7, 2026
10:00 AM
Graveside Service following at Shawnee Memorial Gardens
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