Mary E Fox

Mass of Christian Burial Services for Mary E. Fox will be conducted from St. Johns Catholic Church in Smithfield, Nebraska on Wednesday, July 25, 2012 at 11:00 p.m. with Father Thomas Lux officiating. Rosary will be held prior to Mass of Christian Burial Services at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, July 25, 2012 at St. Johns Catholic Church in Smithfield. Interment will be held at the Highland Cemetery at Bertrand, Nebraska.

Mary Elizabeth Fox, 90 years of age, passed away on Sunday, July 22, 2012 at her home in Smithfield, Nebraska. She was born December 9, 1921 at the family home near Macon in Franklin County, Nebraska, the oldest of nine children born to Focke and Katherine (Miller) Diener. She received her education from Rural School District #59.

On April 10, 1957 she was united in marriage to Francis Eugene Fox at St. John's Catholic Church in Smithfield and to this union three daughters were born: Veronica, Rogene and Katherine. The family made their home on a farm in Smithfield where Francis and Mary farmed until their retirement in 1988. They spent their first few years of retirement traveling and seeing the countryside, visiting with friends and family and enjoying their grandchildren. Francis passed away on July 20, 2001.

Prior to her marriage, Mary was employed as a cook at the Hotel Dale in Holdrege. Mary was employed as a cook at the Elwood Care Home from 1980 to 1987 when she retired to be a fulltime grandma.

Mary was a very hard worker, she was always very busy. Always up early, but when she sat down in the evening, she often fell asleep in her chair. She enjoyed sewing, cooking, needle work, gardening and spending time with her family. She also enjoyed baking pies and donated many of them to fairs and American Legion Auxiliary. She also enjoyed playing bingo and cards with the community. She was a friend to many.

She was a member of St. John's Catholic Church in Smithfield where she was active in Altar Society and a CCD teacher; Garden Club, American Legion Auxiliary and the Red Hat Exercise Club.

Besides her parents and husband, Francis, Mary is preceded in death by a granddaughter, Arthena Yowell; one great-grandson, Elijah Yowell; two brothers: Habbe Diener, Earl Diener and his wife, Ardella; four sisters: Flora Griesen and her husbands, Kennis Forden and Martin Griesen, Louise Jensen, Leta Diener, Gladys Diener; three brothers-in-law: James Fox and his wife, Ardyth, Dale Fox, and Bernard Fox in infancy.

Mary is survived by her three daughters: Veronica Yowell and her husband, William of Lovell, Wyoming, Rogene Oyler and her husband, Albert of Smithfield, Katherine Lierman and her husband, Trent of Grand Island, Nebraska; 11 grandchildren: Kasper Yowell, Kelvin Yowell and Skyler Yowell all of Lovell, Kaleb Yowell and his wife, Jael of Orem, Utah, Joshua Oyler of Johnson Lake, Nebraska, Thomas Oyler and his wife, Hali of Cozad, Nebraska, Kyle Oyler and James Oyler of Smithfield, Whitney Lierman, Courtney Lierman and Tanner Lierman of Grand Island; 1 great-grandchild: Austin Oyler of Cozad; one sister: Tillie Goracke and her husband, Francis of Philipsburg, Kansas; one brother, John Diener of Franklin, Nebraska; sister-in-law, Velma Fox of Bertrand; brother-in-law, Billy Jensen of Ragan, Nebraska; along with many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, July 24, 2012 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Sandstrom Funeral Home in Bertrand.

A memorial has been established and kindly suggested to the Bertrand Rescue, Smithfield Community Club or the St. John's Catholic Church in Smithfield.

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

The Sandstrom Funeral Home in Bertrand is in charge of the arrangements.