Mary Esther Bennett, age 78, a longtime resident and business owner in McCook, Nebraska passed away Friday, February 19, 2021 at Community Hospital in McCook. She was born to James and Margie (Bogart) Plotts on August 26, 1942 in Oberlin, Kansas. She attended school in Oberlin and graduated with the class of 1960.
Mary married Butch Curl in May of 1960 at the Assembly of God Church in McCook, Nebraska. To this union two sons were born, Burke and Kurke. The family made their home in McCook where Mary worked as a bookkeeper at the Grainger Food Warehouse and at the KICX Radio Station. In 1971 the family moved to Elm Creek, Nebraska where Mary attended Kearney LPN School in Kearney, Nebraska. In 1973 they returned to McCook where Mary worked at St. Catherine’s Hospital and for Dr. Dickenson. In 1980 Mary made her final career change when she attended cosmetology school in McCook and opened her own business, Four Seasons Hair Salon, she operated the salon for 40 years.
In 2001 Mary was united in marriage to Roger Bennett in Stockville, Nebraska. The couple enjoyed boating together at the Medicine Creek State Recreation area. They also bread, raised, and cared for Quarter Horses, having as many as 28 at one time. Mary loved animals; she shared this passion with others by also breeding and caring for Corgi puppies with Roger.
Mary was a talented musician and singer. She was the lead vocalist for Stanley Anderson and the Sundowners when she was younger. Even though she never learned to read music, Mary was still able to play any instrument that she laid her hands on. She also enjoyed oil painting, mostly landscapes and wildlife scenes. Many of her pieces were used to decorate local business offices in McCook and two were chosen as Habitat Stamps by the state of Nebraska.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
She will be fondly remembered by her husband, Roger Bennett of McCook, Nebraska; sons, Burke (Lora Childers) Curl and Kurke (Anissa) Curl both of McCook, Nebraska; stepchildren, Shannon (Kelly) Bennett of Elwood, Nebraska and Brenda (Blaine) Biehl of Cozad, Nebraska; grandsons: Jake (Kali) Curl, Zac (Trista) Curl, Nic (River) Curl all of McCook, Nebraska, Luke (Hannah) Curl of Wauneta, Nebraska, and Cauy Bennett of Elwood, Nebraska; great-grandchildren: Landon, Kinlee, and Adelynn Curl; and brother Jim (Carolyn) Plotts of Norcatur, Kansas.
Memorial services will be held at 10:30 A.M., Thursday morning, June 10, 2021 at Herrmann-Jones Funeral Chapel in McCook with Pastor Dale Heimer officiating. Graveside services and inurnment will follow at 2:00 P.M., Thursday afternoon at Fort McPherson National Cemetery in Maxwell, Nebraska. Memorials are suggested to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Mary’s Name. Online condolences may be left at herrmannfh.com. Herrmann-Jones Funeral Chapel is entrusted with arrangements.