July 13, 1929-August 9, 2026
Mary Hellige Bessmer passed away at the age of 97 at Kingswood Senior Living Community. She was born in 1929 to William and Eleanor Weiler in Connersville, Indiana. In 1941, her family moved to Hagerstown, Indiana, where they started a dairy farm. Mary grew up at a time when farm communities were largely self-sufficient and neighbors depended on one another, sharing the work essential to farm life.
Mary graduated from Hagerstown High School in 1947 and soon afterward left rural Indiana for Kansas City, Missouri, where she studied to become an X-ray technician. She later changed careers and spent 25 years selling carpet at R. D. Mann Carpet. She was the first woman to sell commercial carpet in Kansas City. Working entirely on commission, Mary built her business through a natural ability to connect with people, and many of her customers and business associates became lifelong friends.
In 1954, Mary married Eugene "Gene" Hellige. In 1960, Mary and Gene adopted their three-day-old son, Scott.
Mary and Gene made their family home in Westwood Hills, Kansas, where they restored one of the community's older homes. Mary became active in the neighborhood and served two years as president of the Westwood Hills Homes Association. Westwood Hills became an important part of their family's life, and when they moved away in 1971, the Mayor and City Council formally recognized Mary and Gene for their contributions to the community.
Mary and Gene divorced in 1972. In 1977, Mary married Roger Bessmer; they divorced the following year.
Later, Mary shared many years with Parnell Baldwin and became close to his daughters, Kathy Baragary and Jane Baldwin. Kathy's children, Austin and Jody, also became an important part of Mary's life as they grew up.
Mary was a very social person and treasured the many friendships she made throughout her life. She had a lifelong love of the arts and was involved with Friends of Art, Sketch Box, the National Museum of Women in the Arts, and the Leawood Arts Council. She traveled extensively in the United States and abroad and enjoyed entertaining friends in her home. A voracious reader throughout her life, Mary continued enjoying books through audiobooks as she grew older. Her mind remained sharp and curious to the very end. She also loved clothes and glitzy jewelry.
Mary is survived by her son, Scott Hellige and his wife, Necitas Hellige; her granddaughter Naila Francies; and her brother, Howard Weiler. She was preceded in death by her parents, William and Eleanor Weiler; her sister, Ruthanne Muhlenkamp; and her brother, John Weiler.
Mary's family is especially grateful to the caregivers who supported her in her later years. With the help of Seniors Helping Seniors and a devoted group of individual caregivers, Mary was able to remain in her home through the end of her life.
A Celebration of Life will be held on September 4 at 10:00 a.m. at Curé of Ars Catholic Church, 9401 Mission Road, Leawood, Kansas 66206. A luncheon celebration will follow. The service will also be livestreamed at Cureofars.com/Funeral with details to be provided.
