Mary C Pyell

Funeral Services for Mary C. Pyell will be conducted from the Trinity Lutheran Church in Stamford, Nebraska on Monday, April 13, 2009 at 10:30 a.m. with Reverend Thalia Woodworth, officiating. Interment will be in the Orleans Cemetery at Orleans, Nebraska.

Mary Caroline Pyell, 77 years of age, of Alma, Nebraska (formerly of Orleans) passed away on Wednesday, April 8, 2009 at the Colonial Villa Good Samaritan Center in Alma. Mary was born September 27, 1931 on the family farm near Paxton, Nebraska, the daughter of Roscoe Nathan and Mary Gladys (Ault) Johnson. In 1934 the family moved to a farm six miles southwest of Orleans. Mary received her primary education at District #60 in Harlan County and then graduated from Orleans High School with the class of 1949. As a young girl, Mary enjoyed attending Sunday school and was a baptized member of the First Christian Church of Stamford.

On November 19, 1950 she was united in marriage to Raymond Edward Pyell at the First Christian Church and to this union three children were born: Richard, Linda, and James. In 1951, Mary's membership was transferred to the Trinity Lutheran Church in Stamford, where she was confirmed in 1964. The family made their home on the farm southwest of Orleans for twenty years. In 1970 they moved into Orleans, where they owned and operated Orleans CO-OP Service for eleven years. In 1979, Mary purchased Happy Time Ceramics, and operated this business until her failing health and sold the shop in 1993. She was preceded in death by her husband of 47 years, Raymond in 1997.

Mary was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star Chapter #218 since 1951, serving in several offices including Worthy Matron in 1959, 1991-1992, 1997 and 1998. She served the Grand Chapter of Nebraska as a Grand Page in 1959. Mary was past President of the Alice Wallace Past Matrons Club and past President and member of the American Legion Auxiliary. She was also a member of the Orleans Civic Club.

She leaves to mourn her passing her two sons: Richard Kent Pyell and his wife, Nancy of Atlantic Beach, Florida, James Nathan Pyell and his wife, Paulette of Westminister, Colorado; one daughter, Linda Kay Thomley and her husband, Robert of Molino, Florida; twin grandsons: Roscoe Joseph Pyell and Erik Vanfossan Pyell both of Orlando, Florida; one step-grandson, Zachary Gifford of Westminister, Colorado; sister-in-law, Mary Ann Pyell of Stamford and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents; daughter-in-law, Tracey Anne Pyell in 1977; sister, Doris Ann Johnson and her husband, Allan; and brothers-in-law: Robert Pyell, and Leland Pyell and his wife, Ada.

Mary will lie in state at the Mitchell Funeral Home in Orleans on Saturday, April 11, 2009 from 1:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. and prior to the service on Monday at the church.

A memorial has been established in her memory and will be designated at a later date.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com

The Mitchell Funeral Home in Orleans is in charge of the arrangements.