Mary Edith Bodenhamer

Mary Edith Bodenhamer (Rutter), age 92, passed away peacefully on April 9, 2025 surrounded by family and loved ones. She was born on November 29, 1932, in Parsons, Kansas to Raymond and Dorothy Rutter of Edna, Kansas. Mary spent most of her life in the communities of Edna and Coffeyville, where she built a life centered on faith, family, and love.

Mary graduated from Edna High School and began her career as a telephone operator for Southwestern Bell, a job she took great pride in. Later she worked at New-Way Foodliner in Coffeyville for 20 years where she made a lasting impression on coworkers and customers alike.

Mary was a devoted Christian whose unwavering faith was a guiding light throughout her life. She had a natural gift for making things beautiful, and her talent for decorating brought joy and warmth to every space she touched. She especially loved hosting family gatherings and holidays, but had a special place in her heart for Christmas, which she made magical every year. Her home was always a place of comfort, filled with the love she had for her family and others.

She was a cherished mother, sister, and grandmother—roles she held with deep pride and endless love. Mary’s greatest joy was her family, and she poured her heart into creating memories that will be treasured forever. Her kindness, grace, and quiet strength left a lasting impression on all who knew her.

Mary was preceded in death by her late husband, Wayne Hittle, her parents, Raymond and Dorothy Rutter, her sister, Donna Rutter, her brother, Richard Rutter, her lifelong companion, Dale Woods, her granddaughter, Jamie Morse, and her granddaughter, Lindsey Bodenhamer. Though she is no longer with us, her legacy of love and faith lives on in the hearts of those who were blessed to know her.

She is survived by her son, Richard (Rick) Bodenhamer, her daughter, Karen Gavrilys and her husband Theodore (Ted) Gavrilys, her grandchildren, Sean Foley and his wife Megan Foley, Brandi Bodenhamer, Kelli Manning and her husband Jason Manning, her cherished great-grandchildren, and many caregivers and loved ones.

A small graveside service will be held on Friday, April 25 at 1:00pm at Elm Grove Cemetery aka North Edna Cemetery located on State Highway 101, Edna, Kansas 67342, where family and friends will gather to honor her life and lay her to rest.

“…I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die…” John 11:25

The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the dedicated caregivers and staff at Medicalodges Coffeyville, whose compassion and care meant so much during Mary’s final years.

She will be dearly missed and forever remembered for the beauty she brought to the world, the faith she lived by, and the love she gave so freely.