Mary Louise Wistrom

Mary Louise Wistrom
June 28, 1939 – January 12, 2019

Services: Wednesday, January 16, 2019 at 12:00 noon at the West Center Chapel. Family Interment: Blair Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to West Hills Church.

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Mary Louise Mallette was born on June 28, 1939, in Blair, Nebraska. Mary was the third of eight children born to Geraldine and Omar Mallette. Mary grew up on farms in rural Kennard, Hooper and Uehling, Nebraska, attending school in a one room country school house and services at Alter Grove Church. Mary’s cooking skills began while helping her mother prepare meals for their large family.

Mary met Ray Wistrom through friends. They were married on June 24, 1956, following high school graduation. They moved to Omaha where they raised three children. The family joined Westminster Presbyterian Church where the children were confirmed in faith and developed long-time treasured friendships.

Tent camping became one of the family weekend activities, along with regular visits to Grandma and Grandpa Mallette’s farm.

Mary began working when the children were older, first at Woolworth’s as a lunch waitress, then in the infant and children’s department at Richmond Gordman stores. She later worked as a clerk for National Indemnity Insurance Company, working her way into an underwriting position. Mary came out of an early retirement to work at Master Card Insurance Call Center until her health required her to quit at age 72.

Throughout her life, Mary enjoyed volunteering. She was a Brownie Scout Leader, supported Boy Scouts activities, was a church youth group leader and a Hospice volunteer. Mary was a member of Sweet Adelines and enjoyed traveling throughout the U. S. performing with this special and talented group of vocalists. Mary and Ray loved playing cards with friends, square dancing, and camping. They had a permanent camping space at Lake Okoboji. They spent many years camping with friends, entertaining and spoiling their seven grandchildren. They also were blessed to travel to many parts of the country. Some of Mary’s favorite trips with Ray were to Glacier Park, Canada, Lake Michigan, Las Vegas, and Coeur d’Alene, Idaho to name a few.

In 1998 Mary and Ray joined West Hills Presbyterian Church, where she participated in choir and served others as a Stephen’s Minister. Mary and Ray were part of a loving life group, cherishing their Pastor and all the caring friends they made. Their West Hills family continued to support and share their time with Mary and Ray, visiting and bringing communion. These visits meant so much to both Mary and Ray, especially as Mary’s life revolved around providing care for Ray, and eventually, tending to her own health needs.

On Ray’s passing, Mary said, “Every time the sun shines, I’ll know that’s you Ray, shining happiness on us.”

Today we celebrate Mom’s reunion in Heaven with Dad and with her family and friends who have gone before, as the light of Jesus shines in peace and joy.

 

9 Comments

  • Jonathan Zinnel Posted January 12, 2019 10:53 pm

    Rest In Peace Grandma we love you very much and always will! You will always have a special place in my heart
    Love always,
    Jonathan

  • Amy Looper Posted January 13, 2019 8:36 pm

    Grandma W, I will always cherish all of the phone calls we made over years, no matter where life took us. I promise to keep the camping memories alive with our girls and pass down the love of cheese balls and cookies. ;). Til we meet again, enjoy cloud 9 with Grandpa, your family and the heavenly music- pain and worry free.

  • Jackie Zinnel Posted January 13, 2019 10:55 pm

    Childhood Memories, Mother, private duty nurse to 3, famy team leader, chauffeur, Brownie Scout leader, Youth group leader, hard worker, cleanest home on the block, great cook, generous, charitable, community volunteer, good listener, good advice whether I wanted it or not, a friend to many, very brave, I love you Mom, and I thank you♡

    • Virginia Prchal Posted January 14, 2019 4:25 pm

      Yes Sue you are so right she was great cook & house keeper a great lady and fun to be around.

  • Virginia Prchal Posted January 14, 2019 7:55 am

    Sue Jeff & Bob and family’s we had many fun times with your mom & dad lots time ringing in the New Year together polka dances and many card games will cherish all those memories know that our prayers are with you in this time of need. She is in a much better place with no pain or worries I know her and Ray will have much fun together again. Much Love Ginny & Lou

  • Rob & Janet Laughlin Posted January 14, 2019 9:46 pm

    Bob & family, we joined Westhills Church at the same time as Mary & Ray. They were wonderful friends and fellow members of our first small group at Westhills Church. We really enjoyed receiving parenting tips from Ray and Mary, and buying tires from Ray! We have treasured memories of two separate summer weekend trips spent in Okaboji, as their guests, and going to outdoor church where the offering was taken by volunteers going car to car with fishing nets as offering plates. We treasure so many fond memories of them as a couple and will miss Mary every bit as much as we do Ray. They really complimented each other and we are better for having known them.

  • Joyce Messick Posted January 15, 2019 10:56 am

    Your parents were very special people. It is good that they are back together again and talking with my parents and Grandfather Joe Peterson and step grandmother Esther. Also they can talk with my Grandmother Mary who died in 1948. Best of all they can talk with Jesus and not have to use wheelchairs, canes, or any medicines.

  • Teresa Leeper (Acker) Posted January 15, 2019 7:21 pm

    I remember all the great times my siblings and I had when we went camping at Lake Okoboji with Aunt Mary and Uncle Ray. Most of my best childhood memories we’re spending time with them, whether it be them coming to our home in Dodge, Ne or going to their home in Omaha for holidays, it was always exciting when we got news that we were going to be seeing Aunt Mary and Uncle Ray. I will never forget them being there for us when we got flooded out of our home in Dodge and they opened their home to our family to stay until we were able to relocate. Mary and Ray were amazing people and I’m so grateful to have spent the time we did with them. I am so glad we got to meet up with them again after many years of not seeing them. I really regret that we didn’t get more time together. Love u always aunt Mary. I’m sure you are enjoying your reunion with Ray.

  • Linda tange Posted January 15, 2019 9:29 pm

    Sweet sweet memories

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