Mary Kring, of Niles

Published 9:36 am Friday, May 26, 2017

Sept. 6, 1918 — May 23, 2017

Mary Agnes Kring, 98, of Niles, passed away peacefully at The Center for Hospice in Roseland on Tuesday, May 23, 2017, with her family by her side.

Mary was born Sept. 6, 1918, to the late Guy and Marie (Schmidt) Martin in South Bend, Indiana.

Mary Kring

On Oct. 12, 1940, Mary wed Ron E. Kring at a ceremony in Mishawaka, Indiana.

Mary spent some time as a cook at Winkler School; as a housekeeper; selling Avon; and as a pattern folder for Simplicity. Most of all, she was a true homemaker. She enjoyed taking care of her family and her home.

She was a devout Catholic; she and Ron were one of several founding families at St. Mark Catholic Church in Niles. She was always an active member of the church. She participated in the choir and Christian Mother’s Club, and always volunteered to serve dinners and work fundraisers.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Ron; sons Thomas, Robert and Joseph Kring; and siblings Guy Martin Jr., Charles Martin and Virginia Morin.

Mary is survived by her children, Roland “Ronnie” Kring of Hanahan, South Carolina, Bill (Susan) Kring of Niles, John (Sheryl) Kring of Niles, Susan (Mike) Marshall of Mishawaka, Sandy (Garry) Asmus of Dowagiac and Therese (Bill) Besemann of Minot, North Dakota; daughter-in-law Nadine Shepardson of Niles; 26 grandchildren; a host of great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; and her sister, Rita Burks of South Bend.

A time of visitation will be hosted from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, May 31, 2017, at Brown Funeral Home, with recitation of the rosary at 7:30 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 10 a.m. Thursday, June 1, 2017, at St. Mark Catholic Church in Niles, with the Rev. Thomas King, C.S.C., officiating, and Brother Dennis Meyers assisting. Committal rites will follow in Chapel Hill Cemetery in Osceola, Indiana, where Mary will be laid to rest next to her husband.

Memorial contributions may be made in Mary’s memory to St. Mark Catholic Church. Condolences, photos and memories may be left for the family at BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Services in Niles.