Mary Alice Gass Krieger was born in Phillipsburg, Kansas, on May 24, 1952, to Richard D and Alice Marie (Johnson) Gass.  The family moved to Wichita, Kansas two years later where her father's job as a court reporter was relocated to Sedgwick County for the 4th Sedgwick County District Court.

When Mary was young, she rode bicycles and rollerblades, played with her large collection of dolls, and spent time with many school friends. Mary was a member of the Bluebirds, a program for 1st-2nd grade girls which is a division of Camp Fire.  Mary loved to swim at Twin Rivers Swim Club, where she spent most of her afternoons.

Mary attended McCollum Elementary School, John Marshall Jr. High, and North High School. During high school, she worked part-time at Cricket Alley and Bank of America.  She graduated with a degree in elementary education from Wichita State University.

Mary taught for many years in primary grades in public schools. Her teaching was mainly in the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th grades. She taught first grade at Belle Plaine, then at Valley Center, and finished her teaching career in the Wichita Public Schools.  She was an extremely popular teacher, endearing herself to the students and their parents.  She was highly creative in structuring her classroom lessons and engaging the children.  Her classrooms were always filled with caring feelings, laughter, and a love for learning.

Mary loved the colors of nature. She loved animals, particularly dogs, and she loved gardening and planting, smiling as she noticed the growth in her plants. She was hands on when it came to landscaping a new house--from putting in a lawn, planting sapling trees and planting dozens of flowers each spring.

Mary loved being supportive and caring for her family.  She especially loved spending time with her daughter, Whitney. Mary and Whitney would practice being the customer and waiter roles in a make-believe restaurant located in the basement. She and Whitney would spend hours turning big cardboard boxes into "houses".  She would sing and dance with Whitney even when Whitney was laughing with embarrassment.  Mary also helped Whitney learn to ride her bike. She could not have been prouder watching Whitney head out the door with her first prom date.

Mary traveled across many states when she was young. Later in life, she enjoyed relaxing in the sun on the shore of Lake Champlain and in her home in Wichita Ks.

Mary grew up attending churches in the Riverside area and enjoyed attending church services as an adult.  She believed in Jesus and counted Him as her personal Lord and Savior.

Mary spent her later years at Cheney Golden Age Home where she made many friends.

Mary is survived by her only child, Whitney Franchuk, Whitney's husband, Jessie Franchuk, and her two grandchildren, Ryan and Kaylie. Also surviving are her brother Larry Gass, his wife Lynda, and nieces and nephews and their families.

Graveside service will be held on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, at 10 a.m. at Ascension Cemetery, 7200 East 45th Street N, Bel Aire, KS 67226.