MARY MARIE CARRIKER, 90, of Ogallala, NE, passed away Wednesday, January 26, 2022, at the Indian Hills Manor in Ogallala.
Mary was born October 18, 1931, to John and Katie (Phill) McMullen in Arthur, NE. She grew up in a sod house in Arthur County. Her family eventually moved to Ogallala in 1946, where she graduated from high school. Mary had worked at JC Penneys throughout those years. She attended Kearney State College, where she obtained her teaching certificate and subsequently taught school for a year.
In September of 1951, Mary married Dale Schwasinger, and she worked at Goodalls until they started their family. They had five children together. Dale passed in September of 1983.
In April of 1990, Mary married Marvin Carriker and, by that union, added three step-children to her family and moved to Harvard, NE. After Marvin's passing in 2016, Mary returned to Ogallala.
Mary loved to reminisce about living in the sod house in Arthur County and all the wonderful memories she had as a child.
Mary was preceded by her husbands, Dale and Marvin; sisters, Nina and Janet; and a brother, LeRoy.
Survivors include her five children, Mary Dale Ness of Ogallala and her children, Jennifer, Ryan, and Keith, Gregg (Pam) Schwasinger of Kimberling, MO, Dave (Julie) Schwasinger of Ogallala and their children, Michael and Adam, Richard (Diane) Schwasinger of Wichita, KS and their children, Mindy and Tiffany, and Brad (Jackie) Schwasinger of Elizabeth, CO and their children, Kristen and Milissa; three step-children, Steve (Mary) Carriker and their children Corey (Jen) Carriker, Jared (Tonya) Carriker and Kimber (Pete) Yonkers, Deb (Randy) Fitzke and their children Jenna Pieper (Jerome Linderman), Scott (Bridget) Fritzke and Krista Calderon, and Ken (Vivian) Carriker and their children Derek Carriker, Matthew Carriker and Bryn Carriker; sisters, Carol Adams and Arlinda (Rocky) Batt; along with eighteen great-grandchildren and twenty step-great-grandchildren and many other family members and friends.
A memorial has been established in Mary's memory. Condolences may be shared at prairiehillsfuneralhome.com, where the services will be streamed live.
Graveside services will be on Monday, January 31, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. at the Ogallala Cemetery, with Pastor Lisa Hadler officiating.
Visitation will be on Sunday from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Prairie Hills Funeral Home.
Prairie Hills Funeral Home of Ogallala is in charge of arrangements.