Mary VanEvery, age 86. of O'Neill, passed away Wednesday evening, Jan. 30, 2008. at Avera St. Anthony's Hospital in O'Neill.

Visitation was held from 6-9 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 1, 2008, at Biglin's Mortuary in O'Neill with an 8 p.m. parish rosary.

Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday. Feb. 2, 2008, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in O'Neill. Rev. Francis Nigli officiated the service. Music was provided by the St. Patrick's Choir, accompanied by pianist. Paula Havranek.

Pallbearers were Ed Etherton. Michael Long, Steve Hostert, Gerald VanEvery, Dennis VanEvery and George VanEvery.

Interment was in the O'Neill Calvary Cemetery.

Biglin's Mortuary, Inc. of O'Neill was in charge of arrangements. Mary was born May 6, 1921, at Atkinson. to Casper and Anna (Anderson) Winkler. She grew up on a farm north of Emmet. She graduated from St. Mary's High School in O'Neill in 1938.

On Feb. 20, 1947, she married Edward Etherton at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in O'Neill. They lived on a farm north of Atkinson and later in Colorado. To this union two children were born. Edward passed away May 30, 1960.

Mary moved back to O'Neill where she raised her children. She taught School at St. Mary's Grade School in O'Neill for 27years. While teaching full time and attending college in the summers she received her teaching degree front Dana College in Fremont in 1971. On Aug. 11, 1978, Mary married Kenneth VanEvery at St. Patrick's Chapel in O'Neill. They made their home in O'Neill where Mary was u member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church Mid St. Patrick's Altar Society.

Mary enjoyed playing and teaching bridge, gardening and lawn work, and also baking and cooking, for family and friends.

Mary is survived by her husband, Kenneth of O'Neill; son, Thomas Etherton and wife Lorraine of Atkinson; daughter, Joan Long, and husband Randy of O'Neill; live grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; stepchildren, Gerald VanEvery and Wife Sharma of Bassett, Dennis VanEvery and wife Kathy of Page, Kathleen VanEvery of I.aVista, Mary Jo Lichleiter of Seward, and George VanEvery and wife Karen of Page; eight step grandchildren; seven step-great-grandchildren; sisters, Maxine Poesen and Pauline McKenzie, both of California; special friends and care givers, Kathy Kreiger and daughter Bailey of O'Neill.

She was preceded in death by her parents; first husband, Edward; infant sister, Rita Marie; brother, George; and sister, Ethel.