Mary E. Wolvington

Mary Elizabeth O’Donnell Wolvington

January 8th,1933- January 18th,2026

Sadly, our beloved Mary Elizabeth Wolvington 93, passed away on January 18th,2026 of rural Chadron, Nebraska, at Pioneer Manor in Hay Springs, Nebraska. Mary was born on January 8th,1933 to Patrick O’Donnell of Dublin, Ireland & Bertha(Burr)O’Donnell of Pringle, South Dakota, North of Chadron on White River. Mary was 2nd born of 8 children. Her oldest brother Richard O’Donnell welcomed her at home, then came Mary, shortly after came sister Emma Jean, Alice Maxine, John Patrick, Robert, Thomas, & Patricia.

Mary was member of the Pleasant Home Sunday School where her Husband Eugene was Superintend till it closed. After it closed the Family joined Open Door Church in 1960 becoming member of Church & Sunday School and was Sectary- Treasure for many years there in 60’ early 70’. She also was Sunday School teacher.

Mary had an impact on each person she interacted with. She was known for her over 33 years of teaching at rural schools in Dawes, Sheridan & Box Butte Counties. She also substitute taught in Pine Ridge, Gordon, Rushville, Hay Springs, Hemingford, & Crawford. She was known for her many years of dedication to education and touching the lives of numerous students. She was involved in Home Extension Clubs being on the Dawes County Extension Board, 4-H Council Board, and State Home Extension Council at State level. She was directly involved in 4-H as a leader, mentor, and sponsor for numerous years. She was a member of the National Association for Family & Community Education for over 70 years. She was also a member of the Nebraska Association for Family & Community Education for over 70 years. In her spare time, she found time to be a mother, a farm & ranch wife, with time left over, to raise, dress, sell & deliver, as many as 500 chickens a year, packaged & ready to go to the freezer customers. She also raised an abundant garden, & help with field work and cattle. In later years, she started a book keeping & tax service, for many farmers & ranchers & businesses in the area. She graduated from Chadron High School at the age of 17 years old & started teaching rural school at the age of 18 on a temporary teaching certificate, where she met her husband Eugene Wolvington, while teaching at Pleasant Home School District #5. She only taught 1 year & then took time to start & raise her family. She gave birth to daughter Rosemary in 1951 & a son Randall in 1956 & didn’t return to teaching until 1964. After Randy started to school she started finishing her college education in 1960 while working as a book keeper at Hedstead’s Dime Store in Chadron. She returned to teaching in 1964 after getting her teachers degree from Chadron State Collage. The first school she taught was Star Valley School, North of Crawford in Dawes County & continued teaching Rural Schools for over 33 years in Dawes, Sheridan, & Box Butte Counties. She did many odd part time jobs while teaching during her lifetime, including supervisor of the Pine Ridge Job Corps laundry, cooking at the American Legion Club in Chadron, cooking at Camp Norwesca, cooking at Victory Heights Bible Camp, demoing products at Walmart Safeway stores in Chadron & Rapid City, & always found time for her many, many nieces & nephews. She was always there for them when they needed Aunt Mary. Grandma was always there for her grandchildren & her great-grandchildren. She could always be found at their 4-H & FFA events, & any other sports events to make sure that she was there to cheer them on proudly wearing their pictures on game day to make sure everyone knew who she was there for. She enjoyed preparing & hosting holidays for her family & treated her younger siblings as if they were her children & always being there when they needed a hand up for help.

Mary is survived by: Son Randall & Wife Donna, Son-in law John Hindman, Grandsons- Patrick(Margo), Robert(Josie), Michael(Julie), Great-Grandchildren- Rylee, Luke, Adrianna, Kaden, & Jakob. Sisters-Emma Jean Schuhmacher, Alice Maxine Lorenzen, Sister In Laws-Shirley O’Donnell, Joan Wolvington, & her many nieces & nephews

She was proceeded in death by her parents Patrick & Bertha O’Donnell, Father & Mother- in laws Earl & Francis Wolvington, Husband Eugene Wolvington, Daughter- Rosemary Wolvington, Brothers Richard O’Donnell, John O’Donnell(sister in law-Elaine), Thomas O’Donnell, & Robert O’Donnell(sister in law Vita)

Sisters- Patricia Crile(Brother in law George Crile), Brother in Law-John Schuhmacher Brother-in law Ival Wolvington, Sister-in Law Irene Stewart, Brother in-law Charles Stewart

Funeral Services Will Be Held

Friday January 23rd,2026 at 11A.M. at the United Methodist Church in Hay Springs,NE with interment to follow at the Hay Springs Cemetery. Chamberlain Chapel is responsible for arrangements.