Mary Catherine Couchman's Obituary
Mary Catherine Couchman of Bronson, Kansas passed away on December 24, 2021 at the age of 76.
Mary was born August 24, 1945 to Richard and Genevieve Mincks in Centerville, Iowa. Mary graduated from Seymour Community High School in 1963. During this time she was a Marching Band Majorette and Choir. Mary attended Northeast Missouri State University from 1963 to 1965.
On November 7, 1965, Mary married Gary Joe Couchman, son of Keith and Carol Couchman. They were married 56 years. To this union two sons were born; Duane Lee and Troy Dean.
After getting married they lived in Germany while Gary was stationed there during the Vietnam War from 1966 to 1968. Upon their return Mary was a substitute teacher at Seymour, Corydon, Unionville, MO, and Powersville, MO. In addition her and Gary were farming and built their first home in 1974. Mary worked at Rathbun Mental Health Center in Centerville for 13 ½ years. In 1990, Gary and Mary sold their farm and moved to Northwest Arkansas. Mary worked at Walmart Home Office for 16 years in various managerial roles. She was responsible for the Vendor Master, all new suppliers had to work directly with Mary to get their company approved to sell their products at Walmart Stores, Inc. She retired from there in 2007. During her career she received various awards such as Who's Who in Executives and Professionals, and The World Who's Who of Women for distinguished services.
In the summer of 2019, Gary and Mary sold their 47 acre farm in Arkansas and moved to a 80 acre farm in Kansas.
Mary enjoyed and always looked forward to going on vacation to their timeshares in Branson, Missouri and Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. She loved flowers and flower beds. She also loved crafting, crocheting, making Santa's and often giving them as gifts to family members. She always loved to decorate for Christmas. She loved collecting dolls and had an entire room in her house dedicated for all of her dolls. She enjoyed watching her grandchildren play t-ball and participate in school programs. She enjoyed playing the piano and giving lessons. She also played the organ for many years at the Presbyterian Church in Gravette, Arkansas. She was a member of the United Methodist Church. She was baptized earlier in life in the Methodist Church, later in life had a full submersion baptism at Victory Church in Tonitown, Arkansas.
Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Richard and Genevieve Mincks.
Mary is survived by her husband Gary of Bronson, Kansas, sons Duane Couchman of Bronson, Kansas, Troy Couchman (Melanie) of Bronson, Kansas, her 5 grandchildren Keith, Chloe, Colt, Bryson, and Trace, brother Steve Mincks of Des Moines, Iowa, aunt Deloris Darrah of Seymour, Iowa, aunt/uncle Bill and Donna Mincks of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, along with many extended family members.
Visitation will be at 12:00 pm, Saturday, January 8th at Thomas Funeral Home in Seymour. The funeral service will follow at 1:00 pm and graveside burial. Memorials may be given to American Diabetes Association and United Methodist Church in Seymour.
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