Mary Elizabeth (Anderson) Wadell

Mary Elizabeth Wadell, age 77, of Stromsburg, Nebraska, passed away on Tuesday, December 27, 2022 at The Monarch in Lincoln.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, January 2, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. at the Evangelical Covenant Church in Stromsburg with Pastor Mary Pinley officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church. Organist will be Ryan Cooper. Hymn leader will be Neeli Noyd. Musical selections will be “Doxology”, “Children of the Heavenly Father”, “Victory In Jesus”, “Jesus Loves Me” and “Amazing Grace.” Pallbearers will be Karl Anderson, Lee Dunham, Greg Buckley, Charles Noyd, Ron Kutschkau and Kent Erickson. Honorary pallbearers will be Viktoria Dunham and Vivian Buckley. Burial will be in the Stromsburg Cemetery.

Service will be live streamed at https://youtube.com/@stromsburgcovenant5721

Mary was born in Stromsburg on August 16, 1945 to Wilmer Arvid and Vivian Marie Christina (Anderson) Anderson. She attended Stromsburg Public School and graduated from Stromsburg High School in 1963. She went on to earn a BA in Elementary Education from Nebraska Wesleyan University and earned a Master’s degree in Education from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln while teaching for Lincoln Public Schools. After receiving her Master’s she taught within the Stromsburg Public School District. Mary had a passion for helping children learn and succeed with reading, and spent time tutoring and later resumed her teaching career at the Polk County Christian School.

On February 28, 1971 she married Marvin Glen Wadell at the Evangelical Covenant Church in Stromsburg. Mary and Marv had two daughters whom they took great joy in raising. Mary considered her family a great blessing in her life and loved spending time with family. In 1972 Mary and Marv purchased the Economy Food Store from Mary’s parents, they owned and operated the store for 38 years. Mary was proud of her Swedish heritage and enjoyed operating Touch of Sweden gifts inside the grocery store for many years. She also shared Swedish culture through helping with the Santa Lucia Celebrations at church and the Konditori in the community.

Mary was very active in the community and served in positions on various boards over the years, including for the Midwest Covenant Conference as CE Consultant, Covenant Cedars Bible Camp, Stromsburg School Foundation, Stromsburg Library Foundation and Stromsburg Alumni Board. She was honored by her community when selected to be the Swedish Midsommar Festival Queen. Mary was a member of Beta Sigma Phi, P.E.O, and a lifelong member of the Stromsburg Covenant Church, where she served in multiple capacities.

Mary enjoyed traveling, especially to Sweden and Colorado. She loved the annual extended-family trip to Estes Park, Colorado and visiting the mountains anytime with Marv and their family brought her much happiness. She treasured time with her granddaughters who she loved deeply. Mary had her heart open to others giving care and support to those she knew well and those she hardly knew. Her loving attitude grew from her strong Christian faith, she often spoke of letting His light shine and strove to do this throughout her life.

Survivors include her husband Marvin of Stromsburg; daughters Ingrid and husband Lee Dunham of Omaha, Kerstin and husband Greg Buckley of Lincoln; two granddaughters Vivian Buckley and Viktoria Dunham; sisters Marjorie and husband Dale Anderson of Lincoln and Katherine and husband Donald Lybecker of Fort Collins, Colorado; numerous nieces and nephews and a host of other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Memorials are suggested to Children’s Christian Education at the Stromsburg Covenant Church.

But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings as eagles. They shall run and not be weary. They shall walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:31

Dubas Funeral Home of Stromsburg and Osceola has been entrusted with arrangements.

Dubasfuneralhome.com

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