Mary Jane Molle, 66, earned her special wings on Sunday, June 9, 2019, at her Grand Island home with her family and friends by her side.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, June 18, 2019, at the Ord First United Methodist Church at 304 S. 16th Street in Ord. Pastor Stefanie Hayes will officiate. A luncheon will follow. Burial Services be at 3:00 p.m. at the Grand Island City Cemetery at 3168 West Stolley Park Road. Visitation will be held on Monday, June 17, 2019, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with sharing of memories at 6:00 p.m. at the Ord First United Methodist Church. Please feel free to dress casually in any of the following attire: something pink of your liking, Red Nebraska Cornhusker/ Ord chants gear, Kansas City Royals apparel, or Team Miss Molle shirts. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be directed to the Ord First United Methodist Church, Ord Public Schools, or Colon Cancer Research. Ord Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
Mary was born October 8, 1952, in Chappell, NE to Robert and Norma Jean (Crawford) Molle. She was the youngest of three girls. Mary attended Chappell Elementary for grades K-8th before moving to Grand Island, NE in 1965. She graduated from Grand Island Senior High in 1970 before attending Hesston College for 1 year working on her general education requirements. Mary transferred to Wayne State College to major in Elementary Education. It was here where Mary met some of her life-long friends and became a member of The International Order of Turtles. She graduated with her teaching degree in 1975.
Mary began her teaching career in Stratton, NE teaching 2nd grade from 1975 to 1980. Yearning to be closer to family, Mary applied for the 3rd grade elementary position in Ord, NE, where she taught from 1980 until she retired in 2009. Students remember her as the teacher with a contagious laugh and smile, who gave the best hugs, and often showered them with unconditional love and support, as well as Hershey’s Chocolate kisses. Mary made each one of her students feel special and made sure to end the day with a hug and an “I love you”.
Mary was an active member of the First United Methodist Church, where she sang in the choir for many years. Some of her hobbies included cheering on the Husker and Kansas City Royals, attending Ord Chants school activities and sports, bowling, and traveling; her favorite vacation spot was Panama City Beach, Florida.
Miss Mary Molle will be remembered as a selfless and caring individual, who was a friend to all, who demonstrated extreme faith and positivity throughout her life, and was a devoted educator.
Mary is survived by her parents, Robert Molle of Phillips, NE, Norma Jean Molle of Mission, KS, and Bonnie Molle of Dalton, GA; her four sisters, Sharolyn Molle of Mission, KS, Pamela (Molle) Hervert (Don) of Ravenna, NE, Chris (Molle) Williams (Joel) of Dalton, GA, and Kathy Mares of Schuyler, NE; and many family members and friends.
She was preceded in death by her special cousin, Carla Ann (Molle) Wolfe; grandparents, Ralph and Minnie Crawford, Elmer and Ethel Molle, Albert and Marjorie (Da) Sorensen; Aunts and Uncles, Donald Molle, JC and Leila (Crawford) Gleason, Walt and Virgina (Molle) Pounds, Patricia (Paul) Crawford; Cousins, Rich Pounds, and David Pounds; and four great-grandparents.
