Obituary for Mary Kersten
Mary Nottenkamper Kersten, 93, of Atkins, passed away Saturday, May 2, 2020, at her home. She was born January 16, 1927, in Atkins, daughter of the late Paul Henry and Rose Catherine Ehemann Nottenkamper. She was a member of the Atkins Church of the Assumption, the Altar Society, and the church choir, and she served as a Eucharistic Minister for many years. She was also a member of the Quilting Club and the Garden Club. She was a homemaker and poultry grower for Tyson Foods for more than 30 years, and she so loved her family, growing flowers and gardening. One of her life’s greatest passions was attending events for her children and grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Chris Kersten; siblings, Paul Nottenkamper, Jr., Eugene Nottenkamper, John Nottenkamper, Margaret Roberts, and James Nottenkamper.
She is survived by her children, Rosemary McElroy (David), David Kersten (Ruby), Joan Johnston (Larry), Karen Kersten, and Sharon Sowers (James); 14 grandchildren, Brian McElroy (Theresa), Anthony McElroy (Leah), Tracey Brown (Tim), Misty Huddleston (Tommy), Shane Ferguson (Mandy), Tina Ennis (Scott), Stacey Coffman (Mark), Michael Ferguson, Jason Reynolds (Becca), Glen Kersten, Brad Johnston (Amanda Atkinson), Chris Johnston (Amy), Craig McElroy, and Nathan Pockrus (Yujia Zhang); 31 great-grandchildren, Blayke McElroy, Marisa McElroy, Justin McElroy (Jenny), Aaron McElroy (Stephanie), Alyssa McElroy, Kersten Arcadia ‘Cadi’ Ennis, Hayden Ennis, Hunter Kersten, Logan Kersten, Jaeden Kersten, Kayla Parish (Justin), Kristen Lusk (Ben), Mary Kate Brown, Brooke Holloway (Blaine), Ami Mitchell, Bailey Huddleston, Lane Huddleston, Cooper Johnston, Josey Johnston, Maddie Johnston, Aiden Johnston, Asher Johnston, Cohen Ferguson, Tate Ferguson, Sean Ferguson, Shelby Davis, Trey Davis, Makinley Coffman, Braxton Coffman, Kyle Reynolds, and Julia Reynolds; 9 great-great-grandchildren, Emery Collins, Grayden McElroy, Emma McElroy, Carsyn McElroy, Sage Teeter, Klair Burns, Reuben Parish, Katherine Parish, Kamryn Lusk, and Kash Holloway; and a brother, Joe Nottenkamper (Patsy).
Graveside service and burial is 11:00 AM, Wednesday, May 6, at the Atkins Catholic Cemetery with Father Ernie Hardesty officiating. Visitation is private. A public rosary and memorial service will be held at a later date. Mary loved all bright colors and would have encouraged this event to be a Celebration of Life.
Pallbearers are Brian, Anthony, and Craig McElroy, Glen Kersten, Jason Reynolds, Chris Johnston, Brad Johnston, Shane Ferguson, Nathan Pockrus, and Michael Ferguson.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in her honor may be made to the Atkins Church of the Assumption, P.O. Box 337, Atkins, AR, 72823.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Chris Kersten; siblings, Paul Nottenkamper, Jr., Eugene Nottenkamper, John Nottenkamper, Margaret Roberts, and James Nottenkamper.
She is survived by her children, Rosemary McElroy (David), David Kersten (Ruby), Joan Johnston (Larry), Karen Kersten, and Sharon Sowers (James); 14 grandchildren, Brian McElroy (Theresa), Anthony McElroy (Leah), Tracey Brown (Tim), Misty Huddleston (Tommy), Shane Ferguson (Mandy), Tina Ennis (Scott), Stacey Coffman (Mark), Michael Ferguson, Jason Reynolds (Becca), Glen Kersten, Brad Johnston (Amanda Atkinson), Chris Johnston (Amy), Craig McElroy, and Nathan Pockrus (Yujia Zhang); 31 great-grandchildren, Blayke McElroy, Marisa McElroy, Justin McElroy (Jenny), Aaron McElroy (Stephanie), Alyssa McElroy, Kersten Arcadia ‘Cadi’ Ennis, Hayden Ennis, Hunter Kersten, Logan Kersten, Jaeden Kersten, Kayla Parish (Justin), Kristen Lusk (Ben), Mary Kate Brown, Brooke Holloway (Blaine), Ami Mitchell, Bailey Huddleston, Lane Huddleston, Cooper Johnston, Josey Johnston, Maddie Johnston, Aiden Johnston, Asher Johnston, Cohen Ferguson, Tate Ferguson, Sean Ferguson, Shelby Davis, Trey Davis, Makinley Coffman, Braxton Coffman, Kyle Reynolds, and Julia Reynolds; 9 great-great-grandchildren, Emery Collins, Grayden McElroy, Emma McElroy, Carsyn McElroy, Sage Teeter, Klair Burns, Reuben Parish, Katherine Parish, Kamryn Lusk, and Kash Holloway; and a brother, Joe Nottenkamper (Patsy).
Graveside service and burial is 11:00 AM, Wednesday, May 6, at the Atkins Catholic Cemetery with Father Ernie Hardesty officiating. Visitation is private. A public rosary and memorial service will be held at a later date. Mary loved all bright colors and would have encouraged this event to be a Celebration of Life.
Pallbearers are Brian, Anthony, and Craig McElroy, Glen Kersten, Jason Reynolds, Chris Johnston, Brad Johnston, Shane Ferguson, Nathan Pockrus, and Michael Ferguson.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in her honor may be made to the Atkins Church of the Assumption, P.O. Box 337, Atkins, AR, 72823.