Mary Frances Van Meter, 74, of Holden, Missouri died Tuesday, Aug. 2, at Holden Manor Care Center.

Funeral Mass will be 11 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 4 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Holden with Father Pete Savidge officiating. Interment will follow in Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Holden. Pallbearers will be Dustin Van Meter, Phil Gudde, Brett Leonard, Kyle Brandel, Spencer Moore, Devin Gates, Brent Hoss and Brian Hoss.
The family will receive friends from 9 to 11 a.m. Thursday at the church.
Mary was born August 6, 1941 in Holden, daughter of John F. and Lena (Barnett) Lohe. She grew up in Kansas City, Missouri having attended and graduated from Lillis Catholic High School. Mary moved to Holden in 1957 with her family and she became a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church. On June 24, 1961, she married Joseph Abel Van Meter. The couple recently celebrated 55 years of marriage. Born to Joseph and Mary were four children: Dana Jo, Joseph Scott, Tina Ann and Angela Marie.
Through the years, they “adopted” many of their children’s friends as their own. One friend in particular, Jacki Brandel, became known as their daughter. Family was always very important to Mary. With family gatherings came lots of food, laughter and love. Mary worked at Bank of Holden, Georgia’s Dress Shop, and Kingsville Livestock Auction before working at Holden Drug for many years. Upon retiring, Joe and Mary enjoyed traveling with friends and visiting on the back porch. She also enjoyed her flower gardens and being outdoors.
Mary leaves Joe, of the home; Dana Van Meter Patton and Brian of Warsaw; Scott Van Meter and friend, Julie of Holden; Angie Leonard and Ernie of Centerview, Missouri; Jacki Brandel and Stan of Odessa, Missouri; sister: Diane Hoss of Kansas City; brother: Bud Lohe and June of Holden; Grandchildren: Sara Gudde Carter and Kit, Phillip Gudde and Casie, Chelsea Moore and Spencer, Dustin Van Meter, Audrey Stever and Jake, Brett Leonard and Kyle Brandel; great grandchildren: Chloe Fizer Gudde, Miles Gudde, Keyston Moore, Anna Stever, Emma Stever and Paxton Zeikle. She was preceded in death by her parents: John and Lena Lohe; In-laws: Aubrey and Elizabeth Van Meter; sister: Margaret Lohe; daughter: Tina Van Meter; son-in-law: Brian Gudde; and grandsons: Josh Van Meter and Jacob Patton.
Memorial Contributions are suggested to St. Patrick’s Building Fund. Arrangements entrusted to Williams Funeral Chapel in Holden.
Online condolences may be left at www.williamsfuneralchapel.net