Mary Alean (Brant) Baxter

Mary Alean (Brant) Baxter, passed away after complications from dementia, on June 10, 2025. Mary was born on May 8, 1940 in Knob Noster, Missouri to Helen Alean (Strickland) Brant and Emerson Leo Brant. She grew up on the family farm there, and attended Knob Noster High School, graduating in 1958.

Soon after graduating, Mary moved to Warrensburg, MO and lived in the boarding house her grandparents owned. She began working for a division of Johnson County in Warrensburg, and shortly thereafter, met the love of her life, Ralph “Bud” Baxter. They married on April 2, 1959, recently celebrating 66 years of marriage, and were known for being inseparable during their entire marriage. In May 1961, their daughter Sheryl was born and in 1962 they moved to Hays, KS when Bud accepted a position at KAYS-TV station as an electrical Engineer. In August of 1964, their son Steve was born, where Mary was a dedicated homemaker to her family. Once both kids were in school, she began working as a secretary for the Homer B. Reed Center, and later as the church secretary for the United Methodist Church in Hays. In November of 1978, Mary became the department secretary for Communication Disorders at Fort Hays State University, until her retirement in 2000. She and Bud then moved to Olathe, KS to be near family and remained there until her death.

Mary has always loved to sing, and she and her brother JD spent their high school years singing together in a trio with a family friend, at church, in neighboring towns and on local radio stations. Mary and JD even won first prize in the Cow Town Jubilee amateur contest held in Kansas City in the mid 1950’s. Mary was extremely proud of the life she and Bud shared with their 2 children, and will be remembered as a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.

Mary is preceded in death by her loving husband Bud, her parents- Emerson and Helen Brant, two brothers- JD Brant and Dale Brant, sister-in-law Shelby Brant, brother-in-law Robert Baxter and nephew Mark Brant. She is survived by her two brothers- Charles Brant and Richard (Sharon) Brant of Knob Noster, her children Sheryl (Neal) Blythe, Arvada, CO and Steven (Joielin) Baxter, Olathe, KS along with 4 grandchildren- Megan (John) Fulcher, Westminster, CO, Amy (Ernie) Mendez, New Braunfels, TX, Ryan (Juan) Baxter, Seattle, WA, Sean (Dianna) Baxter, Austin, TX and 8 great-grandchildren- Madison, Hunter, Delaney, Leila, Emery, Veronica, Calvin and Luca, along with ten nieces and nephews.

A private family service will be held at a later date.