Mary Louise Hardessen

Mary Louise Hardessen, age 98, of Kearney and formerly of Brule, passed away, Saturday, November 16, 2019, at Brookdale Northridge Assisted Living in Kearney.

Mary was born on December 30, 1920 in Chappell, NE to Guy and Maude (Sudman) Neumann, and she spent her early years in the landmark Sudman-Neumann Heritage House, which is now on the Nebraska Register of Historic Places.  She attended the University of Nebraska and worked in Ogallala where she met the love of her life, Carroll, and they married August 27, 1944.  Carroll and Mary farmed and fed cattle on their farm southwest of Brule, NE until moving to Kearney in 2014.

Mary was involved in numerous community organizations including Extension Club, Eastern Star, P.E.O. and was a 4-H leader.  She was an avid gardener, loved playing bridge, needlework, quilting, weaving baskets and participating in painting and ceramics classes.

Surviving relatives include daughters; Jane Hardessen Shaw (Bud) of Walla Walla, WA and Linda Adams (Jerry) of Broken Bow, NE and son John (Sue) of Kearney.  Grandchildren are Amy Staples (Corey) of Broken Bow; Melissa Lynd (Adam) of Overland Park, KS; Scott Adams (Andrea) of North Liberty, IA; Erica Hardessen, of Kearney and Jess Hardessen (Mikala), of Gretna, NE, in addition to 10 great grandchildren.

Mary was preceded in death by her husband of 73 years, Carroll, and brothers Robert and Byron Neumann.

A register book signing will be held, Friday, December 6, 2019 from 1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m. at the Draucker Funeral Home Chapel in Ogallala, NE.

Memorial Service will be at the First Congregational, United Church of Christ in Brule on Saturday, December 7th at 11:00 with Pastor Lisa Hadler officiating.

Memorials have been established to Chappell Museum Association / Heritage House

Online condolences may be left by signing the Guest Book at www.drauckerfuneralhome.com. Services will not be live streamed. 

Condolences to Linda Adams, 79498 Hwy 21, Broken Bow, NE or John Hardessen, 4521 Vista View Lane, Kearney, NE 68845.

Draucker Funeral Home of Ogallala has been entrusted with arrangements. 

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.