Mary PerksTonkawa, OK

Mary Edna Perks

March 3, 1940 - March 19, 2026

Mary Edna Wilkins Perks went to be with her Lord and Savior on March 19, 2026 at the age of 86. She was surrounded by her loving daughter, granddaughter, grandsons, and her sisters as she took her last breath on earth and her first breath in Heaven.

Mary Perks was born on March 3, 1940 in the Tonkawa Hospital to Frank Green Wilkins and Daisy Florence Skipper Wilkins. She was the oldest child and had 4 siblings; Ruth, Jack, Freda, and Donna. For a short time, they lived in Red Rock, Oklahoma before relocating to the Billings area, where she graduated from Billings High School in 1958. Mary played basketball and was known for her exceptional defensive skills. What really stood out about Mary was her intelligence and drive to be successful in her academic studies. In the 1950’s, women were not encouraged to take upper level math classes, but with some serious convincing on her father’s part, Mary was able to enroll in Algebra II, rather than take the recommended home economics classes. Little did she know, her Algebra II class would be the place where she met the love of her life, Gary Perks. Mary and Gary married on November 5, 1957 in Enid, Oklahoma. She was just a senior in high school and Gary was in the US Navy. Upon graduation, Mary joined Gary in Norfolk, Virginia throughout his 4-year stint in the Navy where they welcomed their daughter Debra in March of 1960. Just 3 months later, they moved back to Oklahoma and then welcomed Dianne in September of 1961.

Mary was a stay-at-home mom for 6 years, before she enrolled in classes at Northern Oklahoma College. She took care of the home, prepared meals, made clothes for her daughters, and supported Gary in every life endeavor. Mary and Gary worked as dorm parents at Threlkeld Hall at Northern Oklahoma College and then became dorm parents at Neff Hall at SWOSU in Weatherford, OK. Mary was a graduate of Northern Oklahoma College, Southwestern Oklahoma State University, and the University of Oklahoma where she obtained a Master’s Degree in Mathematics on a full ride scholarship. She received many awards and accolades for her hard work and dedication to her studies. Mary had a passion for teaching and spent countless hours preparing lessons, writing notes, grading papers, and tutoring her students. Mary taught in Temple, Barnsdall, Tonkawa High School, and she ended her 43-year teaching career at Northern Oklahoma College in 2011. She taught every math subject that NOC offered, and she continues to leave behind that legacy through her class notes documents and the guidance given to those teaching to this day. Mary Perks touched thousands of lives as a teacher and colleague, including her daughters, grandchildren, nephews, and nieces.

Although teaching came so naturally to her, it was not her only gift. She was known for being a brilliant cook and her hot rolls and pickles are famous. She could craft a wonderful meal from scratch and she loved serving her family and friends. Some of her other hobbies included: reading, working crossword and sudoku puzzles, sewing, jigsaw puzzles, writing poetry, playing in her flower beds, spending time with her sisters on “Sister Day” where they gathered together several times a year to laugh, talk, and be in each other’s presence. Oftentimes Mary would be quietly reading her Bible and leading her family in prayer at meal-time. She was a quiet Christian, but she loved the Lord and she didn’t mind proclaiming His mighty presence in her life. Mary was best known for her beautiful and contagious smile, her genuine laughter, and her love for her husband, daughters, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. She spent every waking moment loving and caring for her family, and she adored her grandchildren and great grandchildren. They were her world. She had a beautiful soul, calm spirit, and a fire inside her for her loved ones. Mary will be forever missed in the hearts of her loved ones and friends. She was an incredible blessing to her family and anyone that came into contact with her will continue on the legacy that she worked so hard to build.

Mary joins many loved ones in Heaven including: her loving husband, Gary; daughter, Dianne; her parents, Daisy and Frank; Grandma and Grandpa Skipper; Grandma and Grandpa Wilkins; brother-in-law, Bob Matthiesen; sister-in-law, Carol Wilkins; brother-in-law, Virgil Petty; brothers-in-law Larry and Mike Perks; nephew Ronnie, niece Jackie; her mother and father-in-law Betty and Francis Perks; Baby Max Combrink, dear friend Linda Nelson; her best friend Delores Barnhart.

Mary is survived by her daughter Debra Perks and husband Shawn Muegge of Lamont; Grandson Abram Hoover and wife Amber of Newkirk; Granddaughter Tiffany Nelson and husband Mark of Perry; Grandson Joel Herren of Piedmont; Grandson Caleb Herren and wife Kalin of Tonkawa; great grandchildren: Andrew Hoover, Ashlyn Hoover, Daisy Nelson, Asa Hoover, Scarlett Nelson, Caden Herren, Carson Herren; siblings: Ruth Petty of Enid, Jack Wilkins of California, Freda Matthiesen-Hough and husband Travis of Billings, Donna Turney and husband Lynn of Perry, one brother-in law David Perks of Arkansas, many nieces, nephews, and friends.

Pallbearers: Caleb Herren, Joel Herren, Mark Nelson, James Wittmer, Austin Mancuso, Pete Matthiesen. Honorary Pallbearers: Abram Hoover, Andrew Hoover, Asa Hoover, Shawn Muegge, Tom Ray, Aaron Ray, Scott Nelson, Lynn Turney, Travis Hough.

In Lieu of Flowers, the family would like to ask for donations to be made to an Education Scholarship Account in her name for future educators attending Northern Oklahoma College. Donations can be made in her name at the First National Bank in Tonkawa, Oklahoma.