Mary Jane Gockley, 88, died peacefully on April 4, 2025, surrounded by her family at home in Basehor, KS.
Mary Jane was born to Harold and Gladys (Hall) Kretzing on December 10, 1936 in Harrisburg, PA. She graduated from West Shore High School in Lemoyne, PA in 1954. Mary Jane went on to graduate from the Harrisburg Hospital School of Nursing in 1957 and also earned her Bachelor’s Degree from Albright College in Reading, PA.
Mary Jane married Carl Gockley in 1959, and to this union, four daughters were born. Mary Jane and Carl later divorced. Mary Jane worked as a registered nurse in Illinois, Pennsylvania and Nebraska in many capacities including OR Manager. Following a successful career in nursing, Mary Jane was ordained into the priesthood of the Episcopalian Church in 2010. She served St. John’s Episcopal Church in Broken Bow, NE, until August 2022.
Mary Jane lived a life full of diverse interests. She always enjoyed music, both as a listener and accomplished violinist, pianist, and organist. She bowled in various leagues throughout her life, sometimes competing in three leagues at the same time. She was an avid supporter of Nebraska football and volleyball. She studied the birds of Nebraska, delighting in the bright red of the cardinals. In addition to all the interests in Mary Jane’s life, she was profoundly devoted to her relationships with those she loved. She thoroughly enjoyed spending time with her daughters and supporting her grandchildren – whether in person or over the phone. She has traveled every fall for the past several years to various parts of the US with her daughters on annual “Girls’ Trips.” Mary Jane formed lasting friendships, and her life boasts close friends of nearly 80 years.
Mary Jane’s family is blessed with vivid memories of time spent with her. We can recall watching her studiously complete a jigsaw or word puzzle. We remember trying (and usually failing) to beat her at a game of Rummikub or Scrabble. We can still smell her baking one of her famous pumpkin or rhubarb pies (and we will never be able to quite replicate the taste). Her faith, sense of humor, gentle strength, and love have left a mark on our lives forever.
Mary Jane is preceded in death by her parents and brother Harold; survived by loving daughters and sons-in-law, Heidi and Derek Sherman, Kingman, AZ; Beth and Rod Pracht, Basehor, KS; Gretchen and Scott Ransom, Proctor, MN; and Jennifer, Rio Rancho, NM, sister-in-law Jean Kretzing, Carlisle, PA. She is also survived by 9 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren, as well as several nieces and nephews.
Following cremation, a Celebration of Life will be held May 10, 2025 at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Leavenworth, KS at 2:00 PM. Livestream will be available on St. Paul’s Facebook page (stpaulslvn). Davis Funeral Chapel of Leavenworth is assisting the family with arrangements. Online words of remembrance and encouragement may be left at davisfuneralchapelinc.com. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to St. John’s Episcopal Church in Broken Bow, NE or St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Leavenworth, KS.
A Memorial Mass for Reverand Mary Jane Gockley will be held at St. Joh’s Episcopal Church in Broken Bow, Ne. at 10:30 am on Saturday, May 17, 2025. A reception will follow. Father Randy Goeke will be officiating.
