Mary Catherine Wilwerding

 Mary Catherine Wilwerding was born on September 20, 1938, in Dunlap, Iowa, one of seven daughters to Phillip and Barbara (Wettengel) Shields. She was baptized and later confirmed her faith at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Dunlap. She graduated from St. Patrick Catholic School before receiving her degree from Barne's School of Beauty in Council Bluffs.

 On June 23, 1958, Mary was united in marriage to Ray Wilwerding at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Dunlap. They would share close to 60 years together living in or near Earling with much of this time spent on the farm they moved to in 1966. Together they raised eight children. She could be found sewing, baking, volunteering for numerous church functions and keeping books (she was great with numbers) for the farm, or Ray's Auto Body, but mostly you could find her at the piano.

 Her love of music was evident in many ways. Beginning at the age of 12, she regularly played for weekend masses at St. Patrick and later St Joseph but also played numerous local weddings and funerals in addition to sing-alongs at the Little Flower Haven. Her proudest musical accomplishment however was establishing a children's choir at St Joseph's in the early 1990’s. She especially loved their Christmas Eve pre-mass concerts.

 Mary cherished her friends and family and loved spending time with them. She enjoyed years of summer trips to Okoboji and later family trips to numerous locations. Bunco with the ladies was a day she looked forward to each month. Her quick wit and often unexpected sense of humor will be missed by many.

 Mary passed away on July 7, 2024, at Parsons House in Omaha, having attained the age of 85 years, nine months and 17 days. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Ray in 2018; infant son, Gerard; and six sisters: Loretta Voss, Charlotte Assmann, Barbara Stracke, Joanne Graeve, Genevieve Moore and Phyllis Hansen.

 She is survived by eight children: Claire Lee of Omaha, Nebraska, Voni (Mark) Andrews of Council Bluffs, Kayleen Wilwerding, Shari (Lee) Grimes, Dave Wilwerding (Nia Mollak) all of Omaha, Nebraska, Susie (Jeff) Fah of Earling, Doug (Karen) Wilwerding of Omaha, Nebraska, and Christine (Shane) Heintz of Nevada; 24 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; and other relatives and friends.

 Rosary will begin at 4:30 p.m. followed by visitation with family greeting friends from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 18, 2024, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Earling. Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, July 19, 2024, also at St. Joseph Catholic Church with burial to follow in the St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery all in Earling. Memorials may be directed to the Shelby County Catholic Schools or St. Joseph Catholic Parish in Earling.