Mary Helen (Behrensmeyer) Talken died on July 30, 2021 in her home at 4014 Prairie Ridge Road. She was born June 9, 1936 in Quincy, the daughter of Harvey and Hortense (Lahan) Behrensmeyer. On June 14, 1958, she married the love of her life, Lawrence H. (Larry) Talken, in Quincy. He survives.

Mary was a graduate of Notre Dame High School and was a member of St. Peter’s Catholic Church. Over the past decades she loved golfing at Westview Golf Course and at Spring Lake Country Club. She enjoyed many years with the Atlantis Round Table Study Club, Blessing Hospital Auxiliary , Cursillo movement, Birthright, Catholic Food Pantry and Meals on Wheels. She enjoyed music, garage sales, cooking, the computer and volunteering for St. Peter’s School and Church.

She was best known for her creation of beautiful wedding cakes, thousands of Barbie and American Girl doll clothes as well as her four books, “A Walk Upon the Earth”, “The Whispering Bluffs” (a poetic pictorial account of Quincy’s history), “Of Clowns and Kings” and “The Miracle Makers: Stories of Miracles”.

In her later years Mary taught PSR religion at St. Peter’s Church to fourth graders and then for four years served as PSR Coordinator. Her most recent passion was making well over a thousand little teddy bears for sick children at Blessing Hospital. Above all, Mary loved her Lord, Jesus Christ and her family and siblings. She treasured being a wife, mother, grandma and great-grandma.

Survivors include her husband, Larry, a daughter, Denise Hufendick (Kent) of Ursa, a son, Dan Talken (Christine) of Lafayette, CA., and a daughter, Suzanne Martin (companion Mike) of Salt Lake City, Utah.
Grandchildren Sara Knuffman (D.J.) of Liberty, Rachel Schlipman (Jared) of Ursa, Nick Talken of Martinez, California, Anna Talken of San Luis Obispo, California, and Jenna and Molly Martin of Salt Lake City, Utah. Great-grandchildren Lauren, Drew and Beau Knuffman of Liberty and Emmett and Monroe Schlipman of Ursa.
Also surviving is a sister Rita Brod (Roger) of Quincy, a brother Tom Behrensmeyer (Jeanne) of Champaign and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother Raymond and his wife Katie Behrensmeyer.

To celebrate Mary’s wonderful life please wear bright colors if attending her services, and please wear a face mask as suggested by current Covid-19 guidance.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be on Wednesday, August 4, 2021 at 10:30 a.m. in the Church of St. Peter
officiated by Monsignor Leo Enlow. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery.
Visitation will be the Church of St. Peter Tuesday from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. and Wednesday morning from 10:00-10:30 at the church prior to Mass. Floral tributes may be delivered to the Church on Tuesday between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.

Memorials are suggested to the Church of St. Peter located at
2600 Maine Street Quincy, IL 62301 or to Blessing Foundation for HOSPICE, online at blessinghealth.org
or by mail to The Blessing Foundation 4939 Oak Street PO Box 7005 Quincy, IL 62305

Service arrangements by Duker & Haugh Funeral Home 823 Broadway Quincy, IL 62301
Phone: 217-222-1011
www.dukerandhaugh.com