Mary J. Kankamp

Mary Janet Parker Kankamp of Angola, Indiana, passed away peacefully on March 8, 2025, just after celebrating her
89th birthday. Mary was born on March 7, 1936, in a farmhouse in Hendricks County, Indiana. The attending
physician didn't anticipate her survival and, after setting her aside, quickly learned that Mary's resilience was as
strong as her determination-traits that would carry her through a remarkable life.
Mary was the daughter of Tressman and Fern (Arnold) Parker. Her parents, along with friends and family,
affectionately called her "Lady." She married Charles Wendell (Mike) Kankamp after just two dates, on September
26, 1954, in her parents' home, embarking on a marriage that would introduce her to the world of farming.
Soybeans, grain, and hay crops became her constant companions. When she and Mike decided to expand their
family, it was discovered that she had a medical condition which resulted in the inability to carry several of her
pregnancies to term. She was blessed with one miracle baby, Fred H Kankamp, whom brought her more joy-and
likely more stress-than any farm work ever could.
While being a mother was one of her greatest joys, Mary did not let that stop her from pursuing higher education.
She earned an Associate's in Nursing from Purdue University in 1973 and a Bachelor's in Psychology from Trine
University in 2008. She used her nursing degree to dabble in a variety of roles, including at the diabetic clinic,
prenatal/newborn care, nursing homes, and a well-child clinic. But at the end of the day, she was happiest hanging
up her stethoscope to enjoy her favorite hobbies: sewing, playing the piano, reading, and caring for her animals.
Mary was a passionate piano player and had a particular knack for the organ. She was baptized as a member of the
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and served as the church organist for nearly fifty years. When she
played, it was always loud enough to make one think she were performing for hundreds, not just a few. Mary also
shared her musical talent by teaching piano lessons to countless students, and one could hardly walk through Angola
without meeting someone-or their child-whom she had taught. She took great pride in sharing her musical gifts,
with her favorite tunes being the Boogies, a blues genre that really got her toes tapping.
A frugal woman at her core, Mary believed that almost anything could be reused, repurposed, or recycled. Wrapping
paper became drawer liners. Empty containers became Tupperware. Leftover food scraps became food for the deer
that frequented her backyard. She would often remark, "But it still works," never seeking to replace anything, even
if it was long past its prime.
But what truly set Mary apart was her kindness. Despite facing the untimely loss of her husband, the devastating
passing of her only son, decades of living alone, and countless life events that didn't go according to plan, she
remained gentle-hearted and compassionate. She was never one for the spotlight, and her quiet, slightly jaded
opinions, paired with her dry sense of humor, brought smiles to all who invested their time in her.
Mary has now been welcomed by a heavenly host of loved ones who had long been waiting for her return. While she
will certainly be missed here on Earth, the reunions in heaven must have been sweet. She was deeply cherished by
those who knew her.
Mary is preceded in death by her parents, Tressman and Fern Parker, her brother Gaylord Parker, her husband
Charles Wendell Kankamp, her son Fred H. Kankamp, and her four angel babies who never had the chance to reside
here on Earth. She is survived by her four grandchildren: Rachael Kankamp, Alyssa (Camryn) Froerer, Brandon
Kankamp, and Lauren Kankamp, as well as her two great-grandchildren: Brynn and Luke Froerer.
A graveside service was held on Saturday, March 22, 2025, at the Stilesville Cemetery in Stilesville, Indiana.
Young Family Funeral Home, Hudson/Ashley Chapel, 612 North Main Street, Hudson is assisting the family with arrangements.