Marietta Kengle, fondly known as Mary, passed away on June 3, 2026, at age 82 in Stillwater, OK. She was born on February 10, 1944, to David and Ruvetia (Cooper) Kengle in Enid, OK. She was the youngest of three children.
After her birth in the Enid hospital, the family briefly lived in Perry, OK, before moving to Fay, OK, for four years. She moved to Perry in 1949 and graduated from Perry High School in 1962, and Oklahoma State University in 1966. Go Maroons and Cowboys.
As an American History teacher in Coffeyville, Kansas, Mary educated, mentored, and inspired countless students over her 37-year career at Field Kindley High School. She thoroughly enjoyed her teaching experience. Mary once said that her teaching experience was so wonderful because of the inspiring teachers she had at Perry High School. Mary was known to set high expectations for her students while also working hard to ensure struggling students had the opportunity to succeed. Outside of the classroom, she would lead in the education community as department chairperson, student council sponsor, career counselor, job internship coordinator, NEA-Coffeyville President, and many more roles.
Mary retired in 2003, but this did not slow her down. She loved every moment including time spent exercising, playing bridge, her coffee group, delivering Meals on Wheels, and her stock investment group. Early in Coffeyville, she met fellow teacher Shari Richards and husband Ross Richards, forming a life-long friendship that extended well into retirement. Mary had many close friends too numerous to list. She particularly enjoyed high school reunions and seeing her classmates. In her last years, Mary moved to Ponca City, then Stillwater to be near family.
Mary’s faith and family were an integral part of her life. She was baptized on April 9, 1950, in the Perry Methodist Church. She was active in Perry and later the Coffeyville Methodist churches.
She loved her two sisters and was especially proud of her four nephews. She is survived by sisters Laura (Charles) Kemnitz of Perry, OK, and Nancy (Glen) Hildebrand of Ponca City, OK. Nephews are Craig (Ruby) Kemnitz of Perry, OK, Brent Kemnitz of Wichita, KS, Vance (Vivian) Hildebrand of Stillwater, OK, and Jay Hildebrand of Lake Jackson, TX.
Graveside service at Grace Hill Cemetery pavilion, will be held on Friday, July 10, 2026, at 10 am with Brian Friend officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer Foundation, care of Trout Funeral Home of Perry, 1408 N. 7th Street, Perry, OK 73077. You may share a memory or condolence of Mary at www.troutperry.com.