Mary Lee (Schnitzmeyer) Duncan

Mary Lee (Schnitzmeyer) Duncan, age 85 of Nebraska City, NE passed away on Sunday, November 17, 2024 at the Ambassador in Nebr. City.

Mary Lee was born on January 17, 1939 in Nebraska City, NE; the daughter of Olando L. and Clara M. (Hettinger) Schnitzmeyer.  She grew up and attended school in Nebraska City, graduating from Nebraska City High School with the Class of 1957.  After high school, she worked at Bertholds Florist. 

She was united in marriage to Robert R. Duncan on April 8, 1958, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Nebr. City and to this union three daughters were born:  Christine “Chris”, Victoria “Vicky” and Roberta “Bobbi”.  Robert preceded her in death on January 20, 2020.

Mary Lee and Robert farmed in the Nebraska City and Dunbar areas.  She worked hard as a farmer’s wife, raising a big garden and helping in many ways on the farm.  After her children were raised, Mary Lee worked at Livingstons Department Store and then later at Farmers Bank in Nebraska City.  She worked at the bank until her retirement on September 1, 2004.

She was a member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church and Holy Trinity Guild for 46 years.  In 2006, Mary Lee and Bob moved to Nebraska City where she was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church and St. Mary’s Altar Society from 2006 to the present.  She was also a member of the Nebraska City Quilters Guild for several years.  She always enjoyed having coffee and outings with friends.

Those left to cherish her memory include her children:  Chris Ahrens (Tom) of Murray, NE, Vicky Pfeiffer of Cook, NE and Bobbi Kraenow (Kevin) of Gibbon, NE; grandchildren:  Justin Pfeiffer (Stephanie), Derek Pfeiffer (Brianna), Josh Pfeiffer (Cassie), Lance Griepenstroh (friend Rachel), Travis Ahrens, Kaleb Kraenow (Becky), Karissa Eckel (Dillon) and Briana Kraenow; great-grandchildren:  Hailey, Brittney and Jordyn Pfeiffer, Owen and Quinton Pfeiffer, Cameron, Jaylen, Connor and Josalynn Pfeiffer, Taylor and Kaden Griepenstroh, Gavin and Thomas Ahrens, Benni Kraenow, Brynlee, Remi and Blayklee Eckel; sister Shirley (Wilmer) Sudman of Omaha, NE; numerous nieces and nephews and other family and friends.

In addition to her husband, Mary Lee was preceded in death by her parents Olando (1973) and Clara (1986) Schnitzmeyer, half-brother August Vetter (KIA in WWII in 1943), mother and father-in-law: Mary Mae (1975) and William (1983) Duncan, granddaughter Kala (Ahrens) Griepenstroh (2019), nephew Rusty Sudman (1995) , brothers and sisters in law:  John “Jack” (1989) and Virginia (2022) Duncan and Charles (2022) and Barbara (2023) Duncan.  

A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, November 22, 2024 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Nebraska City with Fr. Tom Schultes celebrating the Mass.  Burial will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Nebr. City. 

The family will greet friends from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday (11/21) at Gude Mortuary in Nebr. City.  The Rosary will be recited at 7:00 p.m.

Memorials may be given to St. Mary’s Catholic Church or Nebraska City Rescue.

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