Obituary of Mary Louise Mikita

Mary Mikita, 89, of Olympia, Washington, died peacefully at Olympics West Retirement Inn on Sunday, September 4, 2022.  Mary was born April 5, 1933, on a farm near Matheson, Colorado, where she was the sixth of eight children born to Paul and Anna (Calkum) Hoefler.  She graduated from Simla High School in 1951.

On November 17, 1951, she married Edward A Mikita, also from Matheson.  They relocated to Pueblo, Colorado, where they had two sons, Edward Allen (1952) and Steven Charles (1954). 

After divorcing, Mary made a courageous life change in 1965 by moving with her two sons to Olympia, where she received familial assistance from her two older sisters, Pauline Maurer and Dorothy Solomon.  She later always stated that “Olympia is my home.”

Mary went to work nearly immediately for the State of Washington.  She worked non-stop, learning and developing new skills to better provide for her family, which resulted in multiple advancements at Washington State until her retirement in 1995.

She was a true humanitarian, becoming very involved with the activities of her church, St. Michael Catholic Church, as well as volunteer work at Bread and Roses.  She loved helping those who couldn’t help themselves or needed a little assistance.  She would also “adopt” older folks in her neighborhood, visiting with them and helping them as she was able.

Ever the optimist, even though Mary was battling COPD, lung cancer and other ailments that afflict the elderly, she always said even in the worst of days, “It will be better tomorrow” and then she would direct the conversation to her visitor or caller.

She loved playing the piano and really enjoyed her “Jam” sessions with her mirror twin sister, Martha, and husband, Kenneth Hendrix.  When Kenneth passed on, the “twins” enjoyed time together, taking many trips.  They loved dressing alike and watching people’s expressions as they tried to figure out who was who.  Most of all, Mary loved her family.  Everyone appreciated and loved her non-judgmental love and acceptance.  She always knew the right thing to say.

Mary is survived by her sons, Allen (Pam) Mikita of Bellevue, Washington; Steven (Terri) Mikita of Fountain, Colorado; grandchildren, Cassandra (Steven) Krieg of Fountain, Colorado, and Rachael (Patrick) Hull of Fountain Colorado; great-grandchildren, Micah, Kaitlyne, Kyndra, Jenna and Olivia Krieg, Lydia and Eva Hull; and great-great-grandchild, Milena Krieg.  She is also survived by her twin sister, Martha Hendrix, and brother-in-law, Lloyd Pond.

She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Lawrence and wife Linda, Leo and wife Cleola; sisters, Pauline Maurer and husband Ted, Dorothy Solomon and husband Bill, Rita Bradberry and husband Clovis, Agnes Pond; brother-in-law, Kenneth Hendrix; and niece, Theresa (Hendrix) Willis.

Services will be held September 23, 2022, at St. Michael Catholic Church, 1208 11th Ave. SE, Olympia, WA 98501.  Viewing will begin at 11:00 a.m., with Mass at 12:00 p.m.  Refreshments and remembrances will start after the Mass, followed at 2:30 p.m. by burial at Calvary Catholic Cemetery, 3850 Cleveland Ave. SE, Tumwater, WA 98501.

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