Mary Jane Gamber

Mary Jane Gamber went to be with the Lord on March 7, 2025, after a long battle with Parkinson’s related dementia. She was 95 years old. She was born on January 19, 1930, in Glen Elder, Kansas to Lawrence and Irene Winkel.

Mary Jane was married to Earl (Rick) Gamber on April 16, 1955. They briefly lived in New Jersey but settled in Kansas City, Missouri for the next 66 years where they raised their 4 children. The last 3 years they lived in Anthology Senior Living (Now The Village at Olathe) where they enjoyed many activities together. Our beloved Mary Jane is remembered for her kind and gentle heart. A devoted wife, mother and homemaker. She worked many years for Mobil Oil in Accounting. When she retired, she loved doing ceramics, baking, gardening, traveling and going to the lake house. She loved volunteering at the local Thrift Store. She was a devout Catholic and loved her family more than anything. She will be deeply missed.

Preceding her in death were her parents, Lawrence and Irene Winkel, brother, Lawrence Winkel, Jr., brother and sister-in-law Jerry and Patti Winkel, sister and brother-in-law Jean and Bud Boden, sister and brother-in-law(s) Doris Slate-Greene, Babe Slate and Norman Greene.

Surviving are her husband Earl and her four children – Dana (Mike) Drahush, Ball Ground, Georgia; Mark (Susan) Gamber, Jones, Oklahoma; Gayle (Brent) Voiles, Olathe, Kansas; and Paul Gamber, Olathe, Kansas. Grandchildren – Amy Voiles, Justin (Deb) Voiles, Darren (Erica) Voiles, Nicholas (Baillie) Drahush, Matthew (Valerie) Drahush, Michael (Leslie) Gamber, and Ali (Ryan) Cooper. Great-Grandchildren – Isabella and Kellan Voiles; Libby, Kate and Emmy Drahush; Lukas, Alek and Tekla Drahush; and Carson, Reagan, and Brooks Cooper. Also surviving are her brother Karl (Karen) Winkel, Glen Elder, Kansas; sister-in-law Maxine Winkel, Cawker City, Kansas; as well as numerous nieces, nephews and other family and friends who mourn her passing.

A Memorial Mass celebrating her life will be held on Friday, March 14, 2025, at Prince of Peace Catholic Church, 16000 W 143rd Street, Olathe, Kansas 66062. Visitation and Rosary will begin at 1:00pm. The Memorial Mass will follow at 2:00pm. Burial will be at Terrace Park Funeral Home & Cemetery, 801 NW 108th Street, Kansas City, MO 64155.

A Special Thanks to the staff at The Village at Olathe Memory Care and Ascend Health Hospice for their kindness, love and support during this very difficult time.