Mary Helen Cline Messamer

Sept. 18, 1928 – Oct. 26, 2024

Mary Helen Cline Messamer passed away peacefully in Buena Vista, Colorado, on October 26, 2024. 

She was born in McClave, Colorado, on September 18, 1928. She was the only child of Joseph Keith and Sarah Mae Spitzer Cline. Her family eventually moved to McPherson, Kansas, so that Mary could attend the Brethren College there. She graduated with a B.A. degree in 1950. 

While attending college, Mary met Lester L. Messamer, and they married on December 20, 1949. The next 19 years were spent in Phillips County, Kansas, where they worked in public education and Mary led a Campfire Girls group. They had three children before moving to Chaffee County, Colorado, where they continued as educators. All three of their children attended college.

Mary always felt a strong connection with the piano. She learned to play at an early age and was a pianist in the Church of the Brethren when she was very young. She spent a lot of her life in choirs at church with the piano accompaniment. She was the pianist on that same piano at church before becoming the owner. She enjoyed it when her descendants and friends played that same piano in her living room. 

Throughout her life she sang in many different choirs as an alto, until losing her singing voice in 2009. While living in Phillipsburg, Kansas, she also participated in a bell choir. She carried a bell in each hand and was the one playing the melody until they moved in 1969 to Buena Vista, Colorado.

Mary enjoyed bird watching, growing flowers, embroidery and attending Native American events. She and Les were honored as Elders of the Native American Community. Mary loved hummingbirds. It was easy to get her a gift; just give her something that had a hummingbird on it.

Mary joined a TOPS club (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) shortly after moving to Buena Vista. The most she ever weighed was 160 lbs., and within a year she reached her desired weight that was set by her doctor of 134-135 lbs. The club had weekly weigh-ins, and Mary stayed at this weight for 35 years. She was awarded a pin by TOPS and was inducted into the KOPS club (Keep Off Pounds Sensibly). 

She was an inspiration to many others in the club. Mary followed the diet suggestions and always used a small plate instead of a normal plate. Mary was never a large person but wanted to be healthy. As she was lying in bed during her last days here on earth, she mentioned that if they started a new TOPS/KOPS club she would like to help them and lend them some advice through her experiences over the years.

Mary was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and great-great-grandmother and will always be cherished in our hearts.

She is survived by her husband, Lester Messamer of Buena Vista, Colorado; sons Raymond (Patricia) Messamer of Lovell and Larry (Becky) Messamer of Colorado Springs, Colorado; daughter Sue (Ray) Albert of Wellington, Colorado; grandchildren Rae Lynn (Josh) St. Clair of Salt Lake City, Utah, Colleen (Justin) Averett of Walla Walla, Washington, Kevin (Jamie) Messamer of Cheyenne, Lisa (Will) Petersen of Idaho Falls, Idaho, Jason (Shauna) Messamer, Andrew (Demetria) Messamer and Steven Messamer, all of Colorado Springs; great-grandchildren Amelia (Jake) Sibulo and Seth St. Clair, both of Salt Lake City, Jacob Averett and Blake (Hannali) Averett, both of Provo, Utah, Zachary Averett of Walla Walla, Hunter Messamer, Allison Messamer and Easton Messamer, all of Cheyenne, Mikel Petersen, Ethan Petersen, Isaac Petersen, James Petersen, Levi Petersen, Soren Petersen, Ivy Petersen and Dane Petersen, all of Idaho Falls, and Evelyn Messamer, Daniel Messamer, Audra Messamer, Axton Messamer, Dax Messamer, Thea Messamer and Emerald Messamer, all of Colorado Springs; and great-great granddaughter Paisley Raine Sibulo of Salt Lake City.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at lewisandglenn.com. Arrangements are with Lewis and Glenn Funeral Home.