Mary Kay (Younger) Carpenter, 73, of North Loup, NE, died Saturday, May 21, 2022, at Tiffany Square Care Center with family at her side. Mary Kay’s life will be celebrated on June 10, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. at Curran Funeral Chapel. Pastor Mark Hartley will officiate. Online condolences for the family may be left at https://www.curranfuneralchapel.com. Contributions may be made to a charity of your choice or to a memorial fund to be determined later. Curran Funeral Chapel is assisting the family.
Mary Kay was born on January 15, 1949, in Hays, KS. She was the daughter of Albert and Doris (Linenberger) Younger. She grew up in Victoria, KS graduating from high school in 1967. Mary Kay owned and operated Town and County Café in Spearville, KS until moving to St. Paul, NE in 1977. She was parts manager at St. Paul Equipment until 1990 when she moved to Grand Island, NE where she owned and operated The Costume Gallery for 20 plus years. Mary Kay was a gifted seamstress.
Her pride and joy were crafting costumes for the major productions of many schools and colleges throughout the state. She had an eye for style and could create unique pieces from new and repurposed items. She treasured the friendships formed while working with school theatre staff and students. She was an avid collector of vintage items and enjoyed bowling, golfing, and camping.
Mary Kay is survived by her beloved partner of 27 years, Elwyne Myers of North Loup, NE daughters, Tammy Mattison of Topeka, KS, Tracy Strecker of Overland Park, KS, Thais Schmitz of Charlotte, NC, son, Todd Carpenter of Grand Island, NE
Others left to cherish her memory include her grandchildren, Paige (Matt) Simpson, Jett and Kort Mattison, Riley Carpenter, Lola and Eva Schmitz, and great-granddaughter Madden Simpson, brother, Marlin (Sue) Younger of Litchfield Park, AZ and sisters, Magdalen (Gregg) Pechanec of Hays, KS and Myra (George) Younger of Victoria, KS.
Mary Kay is preceded in death by her parents, Albert and Doris Younger, infant brother, Michael Younger, brother and sister-in-law, Mark and Twila Younger.