Mary Phyllis Creger

Mary Phyllis Creger, 90, passed away Aug. 14, 2022, while residing at Senior Living Choices in Curtis. Mary, the firstborn child of Lydia and Edward Foster, was born on Jan. 20, 1932, in Colorado Springs, Colorado. She was later joined by her brothers, Robert and Phillip. Mary graduated from high school in 1950 and the University of Colorado at Boulder in 1954 with her Bachelor of Arts degree in Education. Mary met her future husband, David Creger, when he moved in across the street from her as a teenager. They were married in Mary's house on Dec. 26, 1953, and were married for nearly 69 years when she passed away. Mary and Dave welcomed their first child, Daniel, while in Colorado Springs but soon moved to a farm near Palisade, Colorado, where they tried their hand at growing peaches. It was there that Mary gave birth to twins, Timothy and Deborah. Mary was a hard worker, raising three young children while hauling water to the farmhouse and peaches to the packing shed, setting irrigation pipe and tending the garden. Perhaps the saddest day of Mary's life came when her son Daniel drowned at age 10 while saving the life of a neighbor friend who had fallen into a nearby irrigation canal. Mary began her teaching career in elementary education at Riverside Elementary when the family moved into Grand Junction, Colorado. They later moved to Berthoud, Colorado, where Dave earned his teaching degree in vocational agriculture at Colorado State University. The family eventually relocated to Wauneta, where Dave taught high school vocational agriculture and Mary taught in the elementary grades. In 1977, Mary and Dave moved to Curtis to take similar teaching jobs and spend their remaining years until retiring in the late 90s. After retirement, Mary continued to stay busy in church, school and community activities. The family's wish is that Mary is remembered for her cheerful spirit, her enthusiasm for teaching and her love for Dave and her family. Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Lydia and Edward; brother, Phil; son, Daniel; and daughter, Deborah. She is survived by her husband, Dave of Curtis; son, Tim (Joan) Creger of Lincoln; grandchildren, David (Jessica) Creger, Paul (Emma) Creger and Helen (Mike) Anderson; her brother, Bob; four great-grandchildren; and other family. Memorials are suggested to the family and will be contributed to the Medicine Valley Schools Education Fund and designated for use by the Curtis Elementary School Activity Fund. Online condolences may be shared at odeanchapel.com. Service is at 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 4, 2022, at the United Methodist Church in Curtis. Inurnment is at a later date at Fort McPherson National Cemetery, near Maxwell. The memorial book may be signed before the service at the church. Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore is in charge of arrangements.