On January 19, 2023, Mary Jane Schultz, passed away at Great Plains Health, at the age of 88 after a fall surrounded by all her loved ones. The daughter of Hiram and Myrtle (Cox) Brown, she was born in Maywood, NE on March 31, 1935.
Mary grew up in Maywood with her family and attended school there. She met Lynn Everett Schultz as a child, then at 17 and 18 years old, they went to the North Platte courthouse with both sets of parents for witnesses. They were told no marriages were being done that day but any pastor would marry them. They went to the closest one and tied the knot on August 25, 1952.
Mary and Everett traveled the following years with Everett’s oil and water drilling work. Their first children Deborah, Jim, Scott and Randy were all born in different states during their travels. It wasn’t until the fourth child was born that they settled on a farm near Wellfleet. They completed their family while living on the farm with daughters Misty and Katy. Mary helped milk cows, raised chickens and helped with haying for the cows. Everett went to work at the Union Pacific so they moved into Wellfleet then to a country place near North Platte where they lived out their lives.
While Everett worked, Mary stayed home with her 6 kids; she is thought of as a kind, respected, fun loving, God fearing and excellent mother. Every meal that was eaten by the Schultz family growing up, was processed, and prepared by Mary’s hands; she cleaned chickens, canned veggies, baked bread, and grew fruits and vegetables in the huge greenhouse on the property. She made the best donuts! Mary was a supportive and devoted wife, following Everett to all his rodeos, with six kids in tow. Thanksgiving and Christmas every year Mary cooked, with the help of her daughters, for as many as 40 to 45 including those who had no place to go that the grown grandkids brought with them. She made the best apple pies and grandkids would request and recieve one of their own not to have to share! When the last child was out of the house, Mary decided to go back to school to get her CNA license. For some time, she worked at Linden Court in the old building and then worked at NPHS in the kitchen, cooking and baking, her specialty being the cookies. When she wasn’t working, she was fishing. She also enjoyed gardening and had a special love for animals.
Mary was a beloved neighbor on their country community and a faithful Christian who’s greatest joy was when Everett accepted the Lord. They traveled often with their church family to Christian conferences.
Family that survives Mary include her husband of 71 years, Everett of North Platte; daughter, Deb Hill of Maywood and her children with Blaine Hill; Jud (Allison) Hill, Wade (Renee) Hill, and foster son, Daniel (Shyann) Schultz; son, Jim Schultz and his children with Joan(Hansen) Cooper of North Platte; Sara (Morgan) Schultz-Maaske, Josh (Kendra) Schultz, Adam (Laura) Farr-Schultz, and Jim and Heidi’s children; Larissa (Gill) Green, Zackary, Jacob, Jessika, Megan, Rihanna, Tristan, May, Kayden Schultz; son, Scott (Kelli) Schultz of Rapid City, SD and children, Crystal (Brian) Durnan, Jason (Catina) Jensen, Andrew (Jolee) Jensen, Courtney (Ezra) Ahrendt; son, Randy Schultz of North Platte and children, William (Jessy) Schultz and Nick (Nicole) Schultz; daughter, Misty (David) Seamann of Maxwell and children, Andy (Londa) Seamann, Matthew (Heather Cook) Seamann, and Cody (Annie) Seamann; daughter, Katy (Kent) Arnold of North Platte and their children; Brad(Tresa)Arnold, Vanessa(Norm)Fanning and their spotted children, Shine, Maya, and Tootz; sister, Ginger (Melvin) Campbell of Stratton, NE. Mary had 6 children, 29 grandkids, 50 great grandkids, 5 great great grandkids.
Preceding her in death are her parents; infant son; grandsons, Joey, Brian, and Lucas; brothers, Dick, Silos, Rodney, Herb, Robert, Eugene; and sisters, Joyce and Dixie.
Memorials are suggested to The Rock Church in North Platte and online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com.
A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, January 24, 2024, at 11 AM at The Rock Church with Pastor Shanon Williams as officiant. Burial will take place in Wellfleet. Visitation is Tuesday, January 23, 2024, from 12 PM to 7 PM with family present from 5 PM to 7 PM at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home. Adams & Swanson Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.