Mary Kathaleen Kiernan

Mary K. (Shilling) Kiernan passed away on September 10, 2026, surrounded by her family. She was born November 27, 1942, in Havensville, Kansas, the daughter of Wayne Timberlake and Margaret Lum Shilling Timberlake. Mary graduated from Hutchinson High School.

Mary married Patrick “Pat” Kiernan on October 31, 1961. Together, Mary and Pat built a life centered around family and raised four children: Michele, Paula, Michael and Philisha.

Throughout her life, Mary held a variety of jobs, and wherever she worked, she enjoyed meeting people and forming friendships. For five years, Mary and Pat operated a family café in Wetmore. Mary especially loved those years and the many people she had the opportunity to meet and visit with along the way. She later enjoyed her years managing apartments, where her outgoing personality once again gave her the chance to get to know so many people. Mary particularly treasured her last job, working alongside her son, Michael, at Pruitt Appliance.

Above all else, Mary loved her family fiercely. Some of her greatest joys came from having her family gathered together. She loved entertaining, hosting family gatherings and making the holidays special. A house filled with family, conversation and laughter was a happy place for Mary.

Mary had a fun-loving personality and loved to laugh. She enjoyed sharing that laughter with those around her and had a way of making time together enjoyable. In her quieter moments, she loved working on puzzles, but nothing compared to simply being surrounded by the people she loved.

Mary was blessed with a large and loving family. She is survived by her four children, Michele (Brad) Hillrichs of Ozawkie, Kansas; Paula Meggison of Goff, Kansas; Michael (Sharon) Kiernan of Topeka, Kansas; and Philisha (Brad) Stallbaumer of Centralia, Kansas. She is also survived by her 12 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren; her sister, Ann (Marc) Siebert of Clive, Iowa; and her brother, Rollie (Brenda) Timberlake of Lyons, Kansas.

Mary was preceded in death by her husband, Patrick Kiernan; her mother, Margaret Lum Shilling Timberlake; and her father, Wayne Timberlake.

The family will receive friends from 4:00pm to 6:00pm, on Sunday, September 20, with a memorial service at 10:30am, Monday, September 21, at Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home.

Inurnment will be private and take place at the Fairview Cemetery in Goff, Kansas, at a later date.

Mary will be remembered for her strength, her fun-loving personality, her laughter and, most of all, the tremendous love she had for her family. The gatherings, holidays and everyday moments she made special will remain treasured memories for the generations of family she leaves behind.

Memorial contributions should be made to Midland Hospice, and sent in care of Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home, 800 SW 6th Ave. Topeka, KS 66603.