Mary Fuhrer

A Mass of Christian Burial for Mary Fuhrer was held on Thursday, October 27, 2022, at 10:30 a.m. at Ss. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Butte, NE, with Father Bernard Starman officiating. Tracy Poches was lector, and Calvin Kelly was the eucharistic minister. Interment was in the Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery in Naper, NE. Clausen Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. Casket bearers were Jason Berg, Rodrick Thompson, Travis Koenig, Justin Koenig, Joshua Koenig, Luke Koenig, Lance Koenig, Matthew Fuhrer, and Dustin Eide. Honorary casket bearers were all of Mary’s grandchildren, greatgrandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren.

Music was provided by Pat Thiry, organist. Barb Nicolaus and Kim Schonebaum were in charge of registration.

Mary Fuhrer was born October 28, 1920, to Mathew and Paulina (Dreifurst) Schmitz at a home near Lake City, SD. The family traveled by wagon and crossed the Missouri River by ferry shortly after she was born. They settled near Wewela, SD, for a time, and in various places in Nebraska during the Depression.

She attended rural school and received her eighth grade diploma on May 25, 1935, from Boyd County Schools.

In 1942, Mary was married to Henry Berg. To this union, three children were born: James (Jim), Karen, and Eileen. In 1952, Henry passed away. Mary contracted polio in her early thirties and spent time in Hot Springs, SD, receiving treatment. When her sister Theola passed away, Mary welcomed Theola’s son Lonny as her own.

On August 27, 1965, Mary was united in marriage to Raymond (Ray) Fuhrer. To this union daughter Lisa was born, completing the family.

Mary was proud to see all of her children graduate from Naper High School. She loved to crochet, making each of her grandchildren an afghan for graduation. Mary’s family was most important to her. She loved spending time with her grand and great-grandchildren, especially rocking and singing to them.

Mary died October 16, 2022, at the Butte Health Care Center in Butte, NE, at the age of 101 years.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents; her husbands, Henry and Raymond; brothers and sisters: Joe (Theresa Schmitz), Regina (Edwin) Zeitner, Rose (Orville) Worman, Margaret (Ray) Honke, Frances (Don) Whitley, Edward (Delores) Schmitz, Gerald (Sarah) Schmitz, Harold (Erma) Schmitz, and Theola Fuhrer; son-in-law John Koenig; and two great-granddaughters.

Mary is survived by her children: James (Sue) Berg, Karen (Calvin) Kelly, Eileen (Marvin) Schmitz, Lonny (Lisa) Fuhrer, Lisa (Clay) Eide; 18 grandchildren; 51 great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.