Mary Lou Fast

Mary Lou Hensley Fast joyously entered Heaven on Thursday, March 3, 2022, at the age of 92 years old.

Mary was born to Angie Belle Helton Hensley and Levi Earl Hensley in Joes, Colorado on January 1, 1930. It was a very special day as she was born on her parent's anniversary. Mary was one of twelve children born to Belle and Earl, eleven of whom survived to adulthood. As a result, Mary developed a keen mothering instinct from a very young age as she helped her Mom do laundry by hand, bake bread for fourteen people every day, cook the meals, and of course work her chores around the farm before and after school. One of her favorite meals she helped prepare was her Mother Belle's fried chicken recipe.

Mary had incredible spirit, courage, and determination, as she was born at the beginning of the Great Depression. She helped her family survive the Dust Bowl on the Eastern plains of Colorado and throughout World War II. Mary would often speak of those times and of the strength exemplified by her Mother, Belle. Mary inherited that strength and carried that spirit throughout her life. She loved her Mom and considered her a best friend and confidant.

Although times were hard, Mary always attended school and understood that education was incredibly important. Mary was an excellent student and received a scholarship to the University of Northern Colorado to study education. In later years Mary was a real advocate for her family to pursue higher education, and she was proud that both her grandchildren completed graduate degrees.

On August 22, 1948, Mary married Elmer Fast, whom she had known growing up in Joes, Colorado. It was a sweet wedding in the Mennonite Brethren Church, which still stands in Joes. Mary often spoke about how it was so hot that day, the candles in the windows melted. The couple moved to Denver and after a few years, they were blessed with one daughter, Sharon Kay Fast (Kinvig).

When Sharon was a baby, Elmer took a construction job in San Manuel, Arizona. It was there that Elmer and Mary began attending a Bible Presbyterian church and Mary came to know the Lord as her Savior. This started Mary's relationship with the Lord and she was a dedicated Christian woman for the rest of her life, reading through the entire Bible 21 times. Elmer and Mary were members of Red Rocks Baptist Church in Lakewood for roughly 57 years. Mary served as a deacon's wife, a greeter in her Sunday School class, a choir member, a volunteer in the church nursery, and she graciously housed missionaries and Pastors. Mary also cooked many meals to help support individuals in the congregation.

Mary was a fantastic wife to Elmer and Mother to Sharon. There were many special times they shared together. When Sharon was a child, Mary attended Brownie meetings, tap dance and baton twirling recitals as well as piano lessons. She loved teaching Sharon how to cook, and both loved baking different sweets for family gatherings over the years.

Mary had an entrepreneurial spirit and she went on to take her real estate exam at the same time her son-in-law Milt Kinvig took his exam. Mary was extremely creative and loved to see a home transformed into something beautiful. She was a constant support and help as Milt and Sharon began renovating and selling homes with their real estate business. Milt often said she was the best and most meticulous painter he ever knew.

Mary also was incredibly involved in her Grandchildren's lives as she enjoyed picking them up from school and taking them to her home where a homemade treat always awaited them. Mary took Cameron and Ashlyn to piano lessons and loved to hear them practice at her home.

Mary also had an incredible eye for antiques, especially crystal pieces and fine bone china. She collected many different patterns over the years, and family gatherings were always served on fine china. Mary loved nothing more than a home cooked meal with her family, sitting at a beautifully prepared table.

Most of all, to her family, Mary was an extremely bright, funny and loving woman. She loved the Lord, was a hard worker who never gave up and was always an encouragement to others. We are so proud of all she accomplished and how she made her family's life better. Mary had a wonderful laugh, a great smile and was a Mother to all who knew her. We will love her forever and look forward to the day when we are reunited again as a family in Heaven.

Mary is survived by her husband of 73 years, Elmer Fast, her only child, a daughter, Sharon Kay (Fast) Kinvig, two grandchildren Cameron Winston (Natalie) Kinvig, Ashlyn Brooke Fast Kinvig (Scott) Del Priore and one great-grandchild, Augustana Brooke Kinvig Del Priore.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents Angie Belle Helton Hensley, Levi Earl Hensley, her three sisters: Shirley A. Marshall, Bonnie B. Flores, Betty B. Rice, and her eight brothers: Jack L., Walter L, Stanley K., Byron W., E. Gene, Dewey D., James E. and her little brother Danny V. who died as a toddler. Mary was also preceded in death most recently by her Son-In-Law, Milt Kinvig, whom she loved as her own son.


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