Ruth Mary Pace, 78, Holton, formerly of Valley Falls, died Wednesday, March 21, 2018, at the Holton Community Hospital.

She was born May 7, 1939, at Abilene, the daughter of Raymond Luther and Minnie Ruth Taylor Engle. She graduated from Enterprise High School in 1957, attended Sterling College for one year and graduated from Brown Mackie Business College in Salina.

Mary had worked in the payroll department at the Topeka State Hospital. She married Harold W. Pace, Oct. 1, 1960, at Topeka, and became a homemaker. She was a member of the Valley Falls United Methodist Church and the North Cedar Club.

She was preceded in death by her son, Harold W. Pace Jr. and a step brother, Earl D. Wood Jr.

Survivors include her husband, Harold W. Pace Sr., Holton; her son, Raymond W. Pace, Hiawatha; her daughter, Pat Davis, Holton; a step brother, Lloyd Wood; two step sisters, Earlene and Darlene Gawith; five step grandchildren, and 13 step great-grandchildren.

The funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday, March, 26, 2018, at Mercer Funeral Home in Valley Falls. Visitation will be from 3:00-5:00 p.m. Sunday. Burial will follow at the Valley Falls Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Valley Falls United Methodist Church and sent c/o Mercer Funeral Home, PO Box 6, Valley Falls, KS 66088.