ULYSSES – Mary Ann (Rush) James, 72, died Wednesday, June 17, 2026. 

She was born June 13, 1954 to Norris and Elizabeth (Anderson) Rush.

She graduated in the Class of 1972 from West Anchorage High School.

She married Keith Allan Jesser Sept. 12, 1973.

She later married Richard Alan James Nov. 12, 1977. He preceded her in death.

She retired from High Plains Educational Cooperative in 2024 after 28 years.

She enjoyed watching Western movies and spending time with her friends and family.

Survivors include her partner of 15 years, Ron Lashmet; sons, Aaron James and wife, Denise, and Chris James and wife, Alissa; sister, Elizabeth “Becky” James and husband, David; six grandchildren: Jesika (James) Melvin and husband, Joshua, Korbin James and wife, Trinity, Waylon James and fiancée, Ivonne Barron, and Hunter, Chevy and Colton Bade; great-grandchildren, Malikai and Aiden James, with a great-granddaughter on the way; and nephews, Casey and Benjamin James.

She was also preceded in death by her parents; son, J.D. James; brother, John Dwight Rush; grandparents: Clair and Myrtle (Lynch) Anderson and Theodore and Nora (Downing) Rush; and many other family members.

• Memorial services will be at 2 p.m. Monday, June 29, 2026 at the Garnand Funeral Home Chapel in Ulysses, with Pastor Joe Voss presiding.

Burial will follow at the Stanton County Cemetery in Johnson.

Memorials are suggested to Oxford House Inc. in care of Garnand Funeral Home, 405 W. Grant Ave., Ulysses, KS 67880.

Condolences may be left at www.garnandfuneralhomes.com.