Mary Barnes

OGALLALA, Neb. - Mary Estelle Barnes, 85, of Ogallala, passed away March 18, 2025, at Ogallala Community Hospital.

Mary was born Dec. 2, 1939, in McCook to Ivan Lester and Margaret Louise (Kennedy) Birdsall. She attended District 3 country school south of North Platte through the eighth grade and later graduated from St. Patrick's Catholic High School in North Platte.

On Dec. 28, 1959, Mary was united in marriage to David D. Barnes at Paxton. The couple made their home in North Platte, where Mary worked at First National Bank. In 1965, they moved to Ogallala, where Mary went to work for TRW and ASC; she remained with the company for 35 years and retired in 2002.

Mary cherished her family and farm life. She found joy in her garden, which became a place of sanctuary over the years. She also loved dancing, fishing, camping, watching sports, and classic movies. She had a special place in her heart for animals.

A longtime parishioner of St. Luke's Catholic Church in Ogallala, Mary was deeply devoted to her faith.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, David, in 2023; and a sister, Rita Russell.

Survivors include her five children, Deborah (Danny) Wieser of Big Springs, Denise (Terry) Hoffman of Ogallala, Randy (Teresa) Barnes of Big Springs, Sharon (Grant) Hatch of Lewellen, and Michael (Kari) Barnes of Ogallala; 14 grandchildren, Justin (Pamela) Barnes, Shaun Bayne, Brett (Dave) Hoffman, Jordan Hoffman, Kayleen (Reginald) Cooper, Aaron Barnes, Joanna Swisher, Jennifer (Anthony) Ault, Crystal Hall, James Hall Jr., Garrett Hatch, Jesse (Milisa) Barnes, Austin Barnes, and Karissa Barnes; 12 great-grandchildren; and siblings, Patrick (Vi) Birdsall, Bill (Lori) Holmstedt, and Peggy (Gregg) Thuman.

Mass of Christian Burial will be Monday, March 24, 2025, at 10 a.m. at St. Luke's Catholic Church, with Fr. Suresh Bandha as Celebrant. Burial will be in the Ogallala Cemetery.

Visitation will be Sunday, March 23, 2025, from 1 to 3 p.m. at Prairie Hills Funeral Home in Ogallala. A Rosary will be recited at 5 p.m. Sunday at St. Luke's Catholic Church.

Memorials are suggested to St. Luke's School, St. Luke's Catholic Church, or St. Jude's Children's Hospital in Mary's memory. Condolences may be shared at prairiehillsfuneralhome.com, where the Mass will be streamed live.

Prairie Hills Funeral Home of Ogallala is in charge of arrangements.