Mary Catherine McVay, age 94, of Sutherland, Nebraska died on February 13, 2020 at the Sutherland Care Center.
Mary was born on May 10, 1925 to Patrick Edward and Isabella Elizabeth (Wilmes) Priel at Sutherland, where she grew up. By her junior year, the family moved to Kearney, Nebraska where Mary finished her schooling, graduating from Kearney High School in 1944. She then went to work for Northwestern Bell Telephone Company and later married Wesley Van Vleet, Jr. in Kearney.
In 1958, Wesley and Mary moved to Sutherland and bought the Longhorn Bar. A few years later they sold the bar and divorced. She married Bob Bryant in 1962. After Bob died, Mary married Robert McVay.
Mary continued to own several businesses in town which included the Deluxe Cafe, Rodeo Bar and Conoco Cafe, and eventually started the Sutherland Senior Center. She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary and Sacred Heart Catholic Church.
Mary is survived by her children, Morris (Ruth Ann) Van Vleet of Kearney, Nebraska, Ray (Laura) Bryant of Mitchell, South Dakota, Cylde (Sheri) Bryant of Ogallala, Nebraska, Virginia Fear, and Annette (Larry) Kennedy of Sutherland, Nebraska; grandchildren, Kelli Van Vleet-Pleskac (Aaron, Kyle (Melanie) Van Vleet, Marlo Roberts, Candace (Andy) Scott, Marty Fear, Sean (Adrienne) Kennedy, Sarah (Ben) Rivera, and Makenna Bryant; 11 great-grandchildren and a great great-grandson; a sister-in-law, Betty Priel of North Platte, Nebraska; a brother-in-law, Don Fleecs of Sutherland, and other family.
Along with her husband, Bob Bryant, Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Patrick and Isabella Priel; a son, Ken Van Vleet; a daughter, Patricia Van Vleet Greene; a sister, Peggy Fleecs; a brother, Leonard 'Bud' Priel; and granddaughters, Katie Kennedy and Summer Greene.
Services will be held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Sutherland, Nebraska. Rosary will be at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, February 17, 2020 and Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, February 18, 2020 with Celebrant Father Sagar. Burial will follow in Riverview Cemetery, south of Sutherland. Visitation will be prior to the services at the church. Online condolences may be shared at odeanchapel.com. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Sutherland American Legion Auxiliary. Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore in North Platte, Nebraska is in charge of arrangements.