MARY JANE GRIFFEN DONNELSON was born March 20, 1915 in Tekamah, Nebraska. She was raised by her grandparents, Emma and Tom Griffen. She passed away in her sleep on Saturday, May 9, 2009.  

On July 25, 1952, Mary Jane married Ned Donnelson. She was a life-long resident of Tekamah except for the last five years; she lived with her daughter and son-in-law, Shirley and Ray Edgecomb in Gordon. Nebraska.

Mary Jane was employed at Hamel and Peck Furniture Store for over forty years. In her spare time she would cater meals. Following her retirement, she cared for the plants at Bomgaars Supply and worked part-time at the Messenger. There was never an idle moment with Mary Jane.

She enjoyed many talents and interests: music, ceramics, crocheting, quilt making, painting, collection stamps, gardening and reading. She taught ceramics along with making many ceramic projects. In her younger days, she played the guitar and sang with a country and western band. She was an avid gardener and loved watching and feeding birds and squirrels--abundantly. Mary Jane was full of life and always in command. Her entire family loved and adored her and she will be greatly missed.

Mary Jane was a member of the VFW Auxiliary, Quilt Guild and Magnolia Rebekah Lodge No. 94 in Tekamah.

She was preceded in death by husbands, Walter Rhodes and Ned Donnelson; two brothers, Tom and Jesse Griffin, daughters, Evelyn Tobin and Frances Bray, a granddaughter and great grandson.

Survivors include her two daughters, Shirley (Ray) Edgecomb of Gordon, Nebraska, Dorothy Doescher of Alexander, Louisiana; fourteen grandchildren, thirty-six great grandchildren and sixteen great-great grandchildren.

FUNERAL SERVICE: Friday, May 15, 2009, 10:30 a.m. at the First Baptist Church in Tekamah.

VISITATION: Thursday, May 14, 2009, 1 - 8 p.m. with the family receiving friends from 6 - 8 p.m. at Pelan Funeral Home in Tekamah. Visitation Friday will be at the church one hour prior to the service.

BURIAL: Tekamah Cemetery

MEMORIALS: In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials to the First Baptist Church in Tekamah, the Tekamah VFW and American Legion Auxiliary.

Please feel free to send your condolences to the family.
Each condolence will be printed and given to the family after the service.

pelanfuneralservices@hotmail.com