Mary Fuhrer was born October 28, 1920 to Mathew and Paulina (Dreifurst) Schmitz at a home near Lake City, South Dakota.  The family traveled by wagon and crossed Missouri River by ferry shortly after she was born.  They settled near Wewela, South Dakota for a time and various places in Nebraska during the Depression.

She attended rural school and received her eighth grade diploma on May 25, 1935 from Boyd County Schools.  She would have loved to attend "town school", but times were difficult and unfortunately not possible.

In 1942, Mary was married to Henry Berg. To this union three children were born: James (Jim), Karen and Eileen.  In 1952 Henry passed away.  Mary contracted polio in her early thirties and spent time in Hot Springs, South Dakota receiving treatment.  When her sister Theola passed away, Mary welcomed her son, Lonny.

On August 27, 1965 Mary was united in marriage to Raymond (Ray) Fuhrer.  To this union daughter Lisa completed the family.

Mary was proud to see all of her children graduate from Naper High School.  She loved to crochet, making each of her grandchildren an afghan for graduation.  Mary's family was most important to her.  She loved spending time with her grand and great-grandchildren, especially rocking and singing to them.

Mary died October 16, 2022 at the Butte Health Care Center in Butte, Nebraska at the age of 101 years, 11 months and 16 days.  She was strong, determined and very devoted to all of her family.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents; her husbands, Henry and Raymond; brothers and sisters: Joe (Theresa), Regina (Edwin) Zeitner, Rose (Orville) Worman, Margaret (Ray) Honke, Frances (Don) Whitley, Edward (Delores) Schmitz, Gerald (Sarah) Schmitz Harold (Erma) Schmitz and Theola Fuhrer, son-in-law John Koenig and two great-granddaughters.

Mary is survived by her children: James (Sue) Berg, Karen (Calvin) Kelly, Eileen (Marvin) Schmitz, Lonny (Lisa) Fuhrer, Lisa (Clay) Eide; 18 grandchildren, 51 great-grandchildren, 5 great-great-grandchildren and several neices and nephews.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, October 27, 2022 at 10:30 AM at Ss. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Butte, NE.    Burial will be in the Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery, Naper.  Visitation will Wednesday from 6:00 PM until 7:00 PM, with a 7:00 PM rosary at the Church.