Mary Jane Wilson, 67, of Lawrence, passed away Saturday, May 10, 2025. She was born December 2, 1957 in Topeka, Kansas, the daughter of Edward Vincent and Marie Joan (Bourdon) Kreipe.
She graduated from Topeka High School and attended Washburn University where she earned a B.S. in Mathematics. She went on to earn a Masters in Statistics from Kansas State University and pursued an P.H.D. in Math Education at the University of Kansas.
Mary’s early work as an interpreter for hearing impaired children inspired her to pursue a career in education. She was especially interested in mathematics, teaching students at every level from middle school to post graduate. Mary touched many lives with her love of learning and thirst to share her knowledge.
She retired as a math professor at Haskell Indian Nations University in 2020. Passing her knowledge of mathematics along to Indigenous students was her dream job.
Mary was a proud member of Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation, as well as the American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES), and Kappa Mu Epsilon. She loved to swim, family, irrational numbers, fractals, and solving mathematical puzzles. She also liked to keep things weird.
Mary is survived by her children, Briana (Keith) Arkenberg and Trevor Wilson; three grandchildren Nicholas Arkenberg, and Levi and Isabella Wilson, Siblings Martha, Bill, Peter, John. Joe, Liz. She was preceded in death by her parents, and brother Tom.
Join us in celebrating Mary (Pudge) Wilson on Sunday, July 20, 2025 from 2:00 pm until 4:00 pm at Tecumseh Park, 4800 SE 2nd St., Tecumseh, KS. Bring your favorite memories of her and enjoy some time together with the people in her life.
