Mary Uelsmann

BENTON, Mo. -- Mary Belle Uelsmann, 92, of Benton died Sunday, April 1, 2018, at her home.

She was born July 26, 1925, in Ancell to Herman Harrison and Dellia G. Ellis Belk. She and Thomas Andrew Uelsmann married Sept. 8, 1946, in Illmo. He preceded her in death June 11, 2011.

She was a cashier at Security Bank and Trust and later ran Tom's State Farm Agency. She was president of Jaycee Wives and was a member of Eilseben Lutheran Church in Scott City, Ladies Aid, VFW Ladies Auxiliary and Paso Fino Horse Association Hall of Fame. As of September 2017, she still had several horses from her farm winning National and Grand National Championships. She and Tom were founders of the Ozark Empire Paso Fino Region of the Paso Fino Horse Association. They started El Tomaria Farm Inc. in 1968, where they were involved in breeding, raising and showing Paso Fino Horses. They were among the first inductees into the Paso Fino Hall of Fame.

She is survived by a daughter, Shari Napier of Dayton, Ohio; a daughter-in-law, Joyce Uelsmann of Benton; four granddaughters, Beth Uelsmann Figueroa, Stephanie Coates, Daniellle Trip and Alexandra Bryant; and eight great grandchildren, Liam, Keira, Lena, Adeline, Jude, Ruby, Charlotte and Everett.

She was also preceded in death by a son, Larry Uelsmann; three brothers, Herman Belk Jr., Alfred Belk and Vivan Belk; and a sister, Dorothy Leiner.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday and from 9 to 11 a.m. Friday at Amick-Burnett Funeral Chapel in Scott City.

Funeral will be at 11 a.m. Friday at Eisleben Lutheran Church, with the Rev. Marty Hasz officiating. Burial will be in Eisleben Lutheran Cemetery in Scott City.

Memorials can be made to the Ladies Aid.

Online condolences may be shared at www.amick-burnetfuneralchapels.com.