Mary Lou Kaltenbach

Mary Lou Kaltenbach, 78, of Plano, TX, went to be with the Lord on February 4, 2023.

Mary Lou was born on December 25, 1944, in Seneca, KS to Herbert and Berniece Carpenter. After graduating from Seneca High School, she enrolled at Bethany College in Lindsborg, KS, where she earned a B.A. in English and was involved in Sigma Phi Omega, band, and was on staff with the student newspaper, among other activities.

She went on to earn an M.A. in English from Emporia State University in Emporia, KS, and completed doctoral coursework at the University of Missouri-Columbia.

For several years, she taught English and Literature at Emporia State University, the University of Missouri-Columbia, and other schools. She also served as a department manager for several organizations, including the University of Missouri-Kansas City and the Unity Foundation.

While living in Emporia, Mary Lou married Carey Wilds Kaltenbach. During the couple’s marriage, they had one child, Caleb Wilds Kaltenbach. Following the couple’s divorce, Mary Lou lived with her life partner, Vera Jean Elleson, a psychologist in Kansas City. A few years after Vera’s passing, Mary Lou relocated to the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex to be closer to family.

During her life, Mary Lou was an outspoken advocate of human rights. A fan of the Kansas City Chiefs, she was thrilled to see them win Super Bowl LIV. She was a connoisseur of movies, the theater, classic literature, comedy, true crime stories, and mystery novels & movies. Faith was also an important aspect of Mary Lou’s life, as were her family and friends.

Mary Lou was preceded in death by her parents, Herbert and Berniece; brother, Larry; former husband, Carey; and life partner, Vera. She is survived by her son, Caleb; daughter-in-law, Amy; grandchildren, Joel and Rachel; nieces, Erin Richardson and Emily Crockett; as well as cousins, nephews-in-law, grandnieces, grandnephews, and friends.