Mary M. Grunke

Mary M. Grunke

Mary M. Grunke, age 80, of Omaha, formerly of O'Neill, passed  away early Monday morning, Nov. 5, 2012, in Omaha.

A gathering of friends will be held on Thursday (today), Nov. 8, 2012, from 4-6 p.m., followed by a 6 p.m. prayer service at Biglin's Mortuary in O'Neill with Randy Schmeichel officiating.

Honorary pallbearers are Chris Grunke, Meredith Gardner, Zachary Grunke, Ryan Pettit, Katie Pettit, Ruth Gardner, Eva Gardner, Chris Grunke, Jr., Kailyn Grunke and Kora Grunke.

Inurnment will be in the Pleasant Valley Cemetery.

Mary Maxine Plessel was born in O'Neill on Aug. 25, 1932, to Roy and Gladys (Abbott) Plessel. She attended country school north of O'Neill.

She worked at Woody's Cafe, a dry cleaning business and the drive-in movie theater in O'Neill. She lived in O'Neill all her life until 1983 when she moved to Omaha where she worked at Boys Town and the Methodist Hospital. She retired in 2002.

Mary enjoyed going to the senior center, where she loved to play bingo and spend time with her family.

She is survived by her children and spouses: Weston Grunke and wife, Terri, Susan Scanlan and husband, Steve, all of Omaha; Gaylen Grunke and wife, Linda of Hadar and Tammy Pettit and husband, Bart of Waco, Texas; five grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; two brothers,  Kenneth Plessel and wife, Patty of O'Neill and Gary Plessel and wife, Judy of Oregon; and one sister, Connie Read and husband, Butch of O'Neill.

She was preceded in death by her parents; three brothers: Johnny Plessel, Stanley Plessel and Franklin Plessel; and three sisters: Evelyn Oberg, Bonnie Plessel and Marilyn Howard.

Memorials may be made to The Hospice House of Omaha.