Mary Lois (Smith) Roggow, 92, of North Platte, went to be with Jesus her Lord on Sunday, September 3, 2023. She was surrounded by her children, singing hymns and reading scripture as she entered Heaven.
Mary was born September 18, 1930 to Ross Samuel and Florence (Palser) Smith on a farm near Big Springs, NE. She moved with her family to the Smith Homestead south and west of St Paul, NE at age three. She went to Bunker Hill grade school and completed the 9th grade at St. Paul High School. Mary then attended Southwestern Bible Institute in Waxahachie, TX, receiving her High School diploma in 1949. Mary met her husband, Calvin Roggow in Grand Island and attended Kearney State College for one year before their marriage on June 18, 1950 in Grand Island, NE. They celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary in June 2020 shortly before Cal’s death on October 2, 2020. Music was a huge part of her life and she played the piano and organ for church for over 60 years. She was generous with her time and talent and loved to mentor young people in developing a love for music and spiritual growth. She was known for her community Bible studies, and involvement in Christian Women’s Club. She impacted many lives with her Biblical wisdom, kindness and hospitality. Mary loved being a grandma and great-grandma. In later years her grandchildren made the effort to bring their children to visit. Not only did she want to know all about their interests, but even more importantly she diligently prayed for them that they might know Jesus and grow in their relationship with him. She was a true Christ follower and prayer warrior.
She was preceded in death by her husband Calvin, parents Ross and Florence Smith, her brothers Dean, Bernard (Becky) and Don Smith; and her in-laws, Willie and Ione Roggow.
Mary is survived by her her son Lowell (Cheri) of Colorado Springs, CO; daughter Carla (Jay) Wardrobe of Gandy, NE; daughter Beth of North Platte; son Brian (Elaine) of Springfield, MO. She is also survived by seventeen grandchildren and thirteen great grandchildren.
We were greatly blessed to have had her in our lives for nearly 93 years, her love and prayers will be greatly missed.
A celebration of Mary’s life will be held at Carpenter Memorial Chapel on Friday, September 8, 2023 at 2:00 PM with pastor Ray Corlew officiating. Burial will follow in Floral Lawns Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. with the family receiving friends from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 7th at Carpenter Memorial Chapel, which has been entrusted with the arrangements.
Memorials can be made to Hope Embraced or Mid-Nebraska Community Foundation to support the Craig Baxter Memorial.