MARY JANE SCHNEIDER, 68 of Brule, passed away February 1, 2019, at her home in Brule.
Mary was born January 29, 1951, at Benkelman, Nebraska, the youngest of six children to Willard John and Elma (Harder) McDonald Sr. She graduated from Benkelman High School before attending the nursing program at Chadron State College for two years.
Not long after college, Mary relocated to the Ogallala area, where she worked briefly at the Ogallala Hospital before working at Golden Ours Convalescent Home in Grant. Mary worked nearly 30 years at Golden Ours before ultimately going to work at Indian Hills Manor in Ogallala, retiring in 2016.
Mary had the caring personality that you'd expect from someone who dedicated their life to the health and welfare of others. She did occasionally come to hold strong opinions about things and wasn't hesitant to let people know what they might be. Mary was mostly about love of others, and that always seemed to come through whether the family was gathered to play cards, Yahtzee, or just socializing over a cold beer.
In the early 1990s, Mary had moved to Brule, and while there, she made many wonderful friends whose company she really valued. She also became known in more recent years for her willingness to take care of people's pets while they went on vacation. When the time came for Mary to retire from working in nursing, caring for those animals came to mean a lot to her.
Mary was preceded in death by her parents; and three siblings, Willard "Bill," Kenneth "Dudes" McDonald and Gwen "Kay" Schleeman; and a nephew, Brent Schleeman.
Survivors include her sons, Andy (Karen) Tucker of Ogallala, Michael (Marissa) Schneider of Bridgeport; 2 grandsons, Aiden and Aaron; brothers, Gary "Lee" (Lisa) McDonald of Hastings and Richard "Dick" (Julie) McDonald of Oxford; along with many other relatives and friends.
A memorial has been established in her memory for later designation. Condolences may be shared at prairiehillsfuneralhome.com.
Memorial services will be on Saturday, February 23, 2019, at 2:00 p.m. at the Prairie Hills Funeral Home chapel in Ogallala with Pastor Lisa Hadler officiating. No interment of cremains is planned at this time.
Prairie Hills Funeral Home of Ogallala is in charge of arrangements.