Mary Elizabeth Bone

Dodge City - Mary Elizabeth Bone, 65, of Dodge City, Kansas, passed away peacefully on April 18, 2025, surrounded by her loving family. Born on February 11, 1960, in Salina, Kansas, Mary was a devoted mother, grandmother, and friend, a joyful spirit, and a fierce fighter until the very end. She was the sunshine in every room she entered-spreading warmth, laughter, and love to everyone around her.
She graduated from Dodge City High School in 1978. Mary went on to own and operate the Longhorn Saloon, where her fun-loving nature and welcoming spirit brought people together. Later, she followed her heart into healthcare, becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant. She worked at the hospital and then at Brookdale, where she especially loved serving as the activity director. Caring for others came naturally to Mary-she found purpose and joy in bringing comfort, connection, and laughter into people's lives.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Maida Rita Waldman and Robert Waldman; her beloved husband, Cliff Bone; and her mother-in-law, Alice Bone. Together, Mary and Cliff built a beautiful life full of love, laughter, and cherished memories.
Mary leaves behind five children who adored her: Candice Wiest (Justin), Tabbitha Akers (Erik), Chelsey Quint (Jesse), Ali Chadd (Kayle), and Levi Bone (Sara). She also leaves behind seven cherished grandchildren who were the absolute light of her life: Xavier Garcia, Fabian Garcia, Xariah Garcia, Payton Akers, Brody Wiest, Kanyon Akers, and Adalynn Wiest. Mary deeply loved her children and grandchildren, and her family was always the center of her world. Her legacy lives on in the lives she nurtured and the love she gave so freely.
She is also lovingly remembered by her siblings: Wanda Waldman, Linda Kirby (Tim), Bobby Waldman, Mike Waldman (Shala), and Kathy Gemaehlich (Dean), along with many nieces and nephews, Chris Quint, and her beloved dog, Toto, who never left her side.
Mary was a celebration in human form. She loved music like it flowed through her veins and had a smile that could light up even the darkest day. Her strength over the past few years was nothing short of extraordinary. She fought with grace, faith, and determination. Though her body grew tired, her spirit never did-and when Jesus called her home, she went with peace and beauty, surrounded by love.
A rosary will be held at Sacred Heart on Wednesday, April 23rd at 8:00 AM. A Mass will be celebrated in our Mary's name at Our Lady of Guadalupe on Tuesday, May 27th at 10:00 AM. The Celebration of Life service will take place at Swaim Funeral Home on Wednesday, May 28th at 3:00 PM, with the burial service to follow. We invite all who attend to join us in honoring her by wearing your best country western attire. These gatherings will be a time to reflect, remember, and honor the incredible life she lived.
She will be missed more than words can say, but her love, laughter, and light will live on forever in the hearts of all who knew her.
Mary loved the simple, beautiful things in life. She treasured warm conversations and summer nights by the campfire, where laughter came easy and time felt slow. She had a soft spot for Payday candy bars and had the sweetest sweet tooth. Whether she was sipping a Bud Light on her deck or cheering on the Chiefs, she was always soaking up the moment.
She loved camping, the beach, and anything that brought her closer to sunshine. She would soak up the sun like it was her favorite place to be-and it truly was. Mary wasn't just someone who enjoyed the sunshine-she was sunshine in your soul. Her warmth, her light, and her energy made everyone around her feel seen, loved, and welcome. Trips to the casino brought out her playful side, and two stepping to country music was one of her favorite ways to let loose. Everyone was her friend. She loved big, laughed loudly, and lit up every space she walked into.
Mary's spirit was warm, real, and unforgettable-she didn't just live life, she celebrated it. Thoughts and memories may be shared in the online guest book at www.swaimfuneralhome.com.
"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens:
a time to be born and a time to die...
a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance"
Ecclesiastes 3; 1-4