Mary Margaret Dyke

Mary Margaret (Denson) Dyke met Jesus again on August 19, 2026. She gave her heart and life to Jesus at the age of nine on December 9, 1951, at First Baptist of Cleveland, OK. She was born July 24, 1942, in a country home in Labette County near Cherryvale, Kansas, to Tom and Bessie (Morrison) Denson. Her dad was a Katy employee, so the family had to move several times. She lived in Cleveland until the end of ninth grade. She spent years there as a tomboy, climbing trees, etc. She was the fifth child born to Bessie and Tom. At the age of eleven, she gave her life to Jesus for special service at Falls Creek among 20,000 campers watching. In August 1957, her family moved back to Labette County, where she attended high school at Parsons, graduating in 1960. On June 4, 1960, she married Clyde Arthur Dyke. Their first child, Dwayne Arthur, died one hour and twenty-five minutes later on October 18, 1963. He weighed 8 pounds, 12 ounces. She really lost her mind eleven months later when she miscarried with her second child. Because of these two births, she helped many women through depression. Clyde became an instructor of printing at Emporia Flint Hills Technical while pastoring First Baptist Church of Madison in 1971. Mary began a life of thirty-four years as a teacher of all ages. She especially loved teaching children in Kids Korner, where she and Clyde started a mission church in Parsons called New Day Southern Baptist, until he passed September 28, 2008. In 1978, they purchased 20 acres from Elsie Dyke, Clyde's mother, where Mary lived until her death. Mary loved the farm, especially their goats and horses. Her palomino, “Angel Baby,” was hers for eighteen years. Their family of Brenda and Tim rode as a family often. Brenda and Tim graduated from Mound Valley Grade School with honors and later from Labette County High School at Altamont. Tim was valedictorian in 1987. Brenda was gifted musically. Mary loved watching the Chiefs games. Her favorites were Patrick Mahomes, Chris Jones, and Nick Bolton. Every game possible, Tim or Stephanie spent the game at her place, watching and eating together, always wearing their Chiefs shirts. Clyde and Mary spent several years helping raise grandchildren and a great-granddaughter. Mary worked as an aide at Labette County Medical Center for 12 years. She also babysat her granddaughters, Tara and Natasha. After Clyde passed, Mary became an active member at Labette Baptist Church and provided special music many times. She was preceded in death by her parents, her in-laws, her son Dwayne Arthur, her only love, Clyde, and six brothers-in-law. She is survived by her daughter, Brenda Stroud of Springfield, and her son, Tim (Stephanie) of Parsons; grandchildren Tara (Dustin) Holmes, Natasha (Steven) Neitzel, and Brayden Dyke; and great-grandchildren Sierra Keller, Cameron Ward, Brik Ward, and Marshall Neitzel. Mary, while writing this, wanted everyone to know that Jesus is the only answer to a life of happiness and future. Also surviving are her sisters, Betty Racy of Parsons and Juanita Hatcliff of Kansas City, Kansas, along with many nieces and nephews. Brothers-in-law include Chuck (Linda) Dyke. Sisters-in-law include Sandy Dyke, Sue Dyke, Kathy Dyke, Rebecca Denson, and Betty Denson. Also preceding her in death were her three brothers, Glenn, John, and Tommy Joe Denson. Cremation arrangements are being provided by Midland Cremation Society in Joplin, Missouri. Mary’s remains will be laid to rest at Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Dennis, Kansas, beside her beloved husband, Clyde. No memorial service is scheduled at this time. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that memorial contributions be made to Timothy Dyke or Brenda Stroud. Contributions will be used toward the continued care and upkeep of Mary’s beloved home and property—a place she cherished deeply and called home for nearly five decades. Cremation arrangements are made with Midland Cremation Society in Joplin, Missouri.

Mary Margaret Dyke

July 24, 1942 - August 19, 2026