Mary Louise Farmer

Mary Louise (Herndon) Farmer was born August 13, 1933 to Delia Mae & Clarer Earl Herndon in Eureka Springs, Arkansas, heart of the Ozarks. She finished her earthly race and entered the presence of her Savior, August 2, 2026 while residing at The Residence at Grand Mesa, Grand Junction, Colorado for the past four years.

Mary was a believer in Jesus Christ and served Him with all her heart from her childhood. She was a ‘prayer warrior’ and spent hours in prayer for family and friends near and far. She talked often of growing up in the Ozarks and attending the country Pentecostal church where she first gave her heart to the Lord. She attended school, along with all of the country children at Grassy Knob, where all twelve grades gathered for learning. She often told of warm memories of her childhood, playing with cousins who lived nearby and all the fun and mischief they got themselves into.

They carried their lunches in lard buckets and met each other on the dirt roads and paths in the ‘holler’ that led them to the school house at Grassy Knob. Mary had 9 siblings, and with multiple cousins close by, there was never a dull moment. Mary was always proud of her Arkansas roots.

She served as a ‘Candy Striper’ in her early teen years, at the hospital in Eureka Springs and always felt she would be a nurse someday. That desire was altered when she made a train trip as a 17 year old girl out to Idaho at the urging of her cousin, Danny Herndon. Rupert, Idaho is where she met Donald Farmer, and he stole her heart. They married August 25th, 1951 in a simple wedding ceremony at First Assembly of God church in Rupert. Being called to ministry, she made her decision to follow the Lord’s leading, and together they had 53 wonderful years, pastoring 5 different congregations, and 9 years of leadership as Superintendents for the Rocky Mountain Ministry Network spanning the states of Colorado and Utah, where hundreds of people were touched by their ministry.

She was a cook bar none, a dedicated mother, a committed wife, an avid supporter of the Denver sports teams and lover of the people they pastored in their congregations. Together with her husband they provided a safe environment for their children, and a Godly heritage leaving a legacy of faith for every life they touched.

She is survived by their four children: Marjorie Dawn Harris (Stephen) of Phoenix, Arizona; Marcia Kay Mitchell (Von) of Cedaredge Colorado; Gregory Scott Farmer (Darla) of Lafayette, Indiana and Carmen ReNae Rudnik (Zane) of Grand Junction, Colorado.

Nine Grandchildren: Jim (Melissa) Szakmeister, Tricia (Keenan) Ard; Chad (Jennifer) and Colton (Courtney) Harris; Christopher (Stephanie), Andrew (Torre), and Jeremy (Alexis) Farmer; Justin and Holly Arnold.

Eighteen Great Grandchildren: Sophie Farley, Scotty and Emily Szakmeister, Clayton, Eli, and Ethan Harris, Georgia and Booker Harris, Levi and Daman Ard, Caitlin, Brett, and Vincent Farmer; Drew, Kylar, Bailey, Jordan and Kolbi Farmer; and one baby girl arriving soon to Jeremy & Alexis Farmer.

Two Great Great Grandchildren: Cedar Bee Farley and Braxton Davis Harris and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Mary was preceded in death by her husband, Donald Irvin, her parents, Delia Mae and Clarer Earl and all 9 of her siblings: James Earl Herndon; Marjorie Herndon; Betty Jean McNeill; Earlene Mae Whittaker; Robert Dean “Bob” Herndon; Darlene Bell “Molly” Pinkley; Donald Laroy Herndon; and Kenneth Duane Herndon.

Atop all virtues and talents Mary possessed was her love for the Lord, and her privilege and joy of touching Heaven for anyone needing prayer.

Celebration of Life will take place, Tuesday, August 18, 2026 at 2:00 PM at Delta Rivers Church, located at 762 Dodge Street, Delta, Colorado. The family will host a time of fellowship and light refreshments following the service.

Mary will be laid to rest at Garnet Mesa Cemetery, in Delta, Colorado. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking to consider donating to Hope West Hospice of Grand Junction in Mary’s name. To donate go to: www.hopewestco.org