Mary Louise Birkner Kiesling of Kenedy, Texas passed away on October 30, 2026.  She died peacefully at her home after a brief illness.  She was 93 years old.

Mary was born on a dairy farm August 17, 1933 in Bay City, Texas to Joseph Adolph Birkner and Mabel Green Birkner and grew up in a very large family.  After graduating from Bay city High School, she went on to attend Warton Junior College where she was a cheerleader and met the love of her life, a very handsome and gifted athlete, Larry Kiesling.

After completing Warton Junior College, Mary attended TCU for a year before joining Larry at Sam Houston State in Huntsville.  The two were married January 23, 1954 in Bay city and upon earning their degrees in education, took jobs and coaching in Charlotte, Texas.  They were blessed with 3 Children, Kathleen, Larry, Jr. and Lisa.

In 1962, when Lisa was just 6 weeks old, Larry accepted a coaching position in Kenedy and moved the family to the town they would spend the rest of their lives.

Mary held multiple degrees in education and loved teaching.  She served as a teacher, Reading Specialist, and Curriculum Coordinator for Kenedy ISD for many years.  After her retirement, she also served 2 terms on Kenedy’s school board.  She was very fond of every student she taught and was very familiar with almost every student in the district either through their school records or family.  Mary seemed to make a connection with everyone she met.

Mary was a devout Christian and attended the United Methodist Church most of her Life where she served the church in various capacities and especially enjoyed singing in the choir.

She lived her final year quietly attended by her caregivers who treated her like a queen.  After first she was hesitant about having extra care, but grew to love Cindy, Grace, Mary Ann, and Patty like they were family.  She was so appreciative of everything they did as they helped make her final days pleasant.

Mary also enjoyed her long time friends.  They call themselves the Golden Girls.  These ladies enjoyed lunches and tea parties together.  The group truly enjoyed spending time with each other often laughing until they cried.  Her friends supported Mary throughout her illness and she loved the all.

The joy of Mary’s life was her family.  She dearly loved all of her brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews.  She cherished phone call, cards, and letters from each and everyone of them.  She had a gift of listening and took interest in all their lives.

Mary was also blessed by her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.  She felt so fortunate to have them and literally spoke of them every day.

Mary is preceded in death by her parents and her husband Larry Kiesling, Sr. Also proceeding her in death are her brothers Joseph Birkner, Otha Birkner, and Jack Birkner; sister Mabel Wakefield; and cousin Alfred Birkner.

She is survived by her sisters Anna Ruth Klein and Kathleen Stevens, and cousin Kenneth Birkner.  Mary is also survived by her daughter Kathleen Nichols (Neil), son Larr Kiesling, Jr. (Sharla), and daughter Lisa Selph (Travis).  Also surviving her are 9 grandchildren: Justin (Brooke) Mayes, Lauren Robson, Keely (Devin) Engel, Trapper (Danielle) Selph, Karly (Dustin) Theuret, Paige Selph, Joseph (Emily) Kiesling, Carson Kiesling, and Jesse Kiesling; 13 great grandchildren: Kayce (Trace) Labus, Hunter Mayes, Mason Real, Trevor Engel, Kinsley Engel, Maeve Selph, Jaelynn Mayes, Beckett Engel, and Kora Lynn Theuret; many nieces, and nephews; and extended family member Maria Nunez.

Visitation for Mary will be Thursday evening from 6pm –  8pm at Eckols Funeral Home in Kenedy.  Funeral Services will be Friday at 11am also at Eckols Funeral Home, Burial will follow at the Kenedy Cemetery.  Those wishing to send memorials can do so by contributing to the American Cancer Society at donate.cancer.org.