Mary Taggart Holderman

On October 22, 2025, Mary Taggart Holderman, 92, passed away quietly, surrounded by her three children, Amy, Ann, and Dean. She was welcomed into the next world by her husband of 66 years, Wallace Holderman; her parents, Floyd and Florence Taggart; her sisters, Nancy Simpson and Ruth Barker; her brother-in-law, Ken Simpson; her niece, Brenda Billings; countless friends; and a pack of ornery Brittany Spaniels.

Mary was a devoted mother and will be deeply missed by her children: Amy Teeter and husband David, Ann Fate and husband Paul, and Dean Holderman and wife Meg. She was a blessing in the lives of her grandchildren-Seth Sheldon, Stephen Sheldon, Mary Burge, Bryan Fate, Emily Fate, Andy Fate, Callie Holderman, and Grace Holderman-who blessed her with countless beautiful memories and twelve great-grandchildren.

Mary treasured her memories of growing up in Topeka, Kansas, where she cultivated her grammar school friendships and remained a good friend to good friends. She attended Topeka High School and the University of Kansas, where she graduated in 1956 with a bachelor's degree in nursing. She was proud of her profession and inspired her daughters and two nieces to follow in her footsteps. While attending KU Medical Center in Kansas City, she met and fell in love with Wallace Holderman, a medical student. They married in 1955.

When Wallace completed his residency in orthopedic surgery, he began his military career in the Air Force. This was an exciting time in their lives, marked by stops in Montgomery, Alabama; Fairbanks, Alaska; and Fort Worth, Texas. Mary loved to share stories of Air Force life and the wonderful friends they made along the way. In 1964, Wallace completed his military service, and the family-now five strong-moved to Hutchinson, Kansas, a place Mary called God's Country. Mary was a proud Hutchonian and would charm visitors with a recitation of all the town's wonders.

Mary appreciated her blessed life and expressed her gratitude by giving back. She volunteered actively with the Bloodmobile, Meals on Wheels, and the Soup Kitchen; served as a reader for young students struggling with reading; and held numerous leadership roles at First Presbyterian Church.

Mary was a gifted artist. Her canvas was yarn, needle, and thread. She had a delightful sense of color and balance and excelled in cross-stitch, needlepoint, sewing, English smocking, and knitting. She was always making something. While family was the primary recipient of her talents, she was also quick to hem the occasional prom dress. She would enter her favorite pieces in the Kansas State Fair each year and was rewarded with countless ribbons.

Mary made friends quickly and kept them for life. She was deeply spiritual, letting her faith guide her actions. She cherished time with her family above all; they will miss her warm hugs and the whisper, "The time went too fast." Those of us lucky enough to have known her are eternally grateful.

A memorial service honoring Mary's life will be held at First Presbyterian Church, 201 E Sherman St., Hutchinson, on Saturday, November 29, 2025, at 10:00 a.m., with nursing honors presented by the Hutchinson Nurses Honor Guard.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to First Presbyterian Church, Hospice & HomeCare of Reno County, or the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks Wild Trust, in care of Elliott Mortuary and Crematory, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.