Mary Jane Frasch

Celebration of Life Service for Mary J. Frasch age 75 of Neligh will be Monday, May 5, 2025 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Francis Assisi Catholic Church in Neligh, Nebraska. Visitation will be Sunday, 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. May 4, 2025 at St. Francis Assisi Catholic Church with a 7:00 p.m. wake service. Burial will be in Oakdale Cemetery. Beyer Snider Memorial Funeral Home will be handling the arrangements. Mary passed away on April 13, 2025 at Arbor Care in Neligh, Nebraska. Condolences may be directed to the family at www.beyersnidermemorialfh.com

Mary Jane (Wells) Frasch was born in Osmond, NE February 8th, 1950 to Edwin and Elizabeth (Wupper) Wells. She married Richard Cornett in 1966 and they shared 3 children together. Later, the couple divorced. After years of healing, and alongside their new spouses, the couple modeled how “broken families” can work together to be inclusive, loving and supportive, despite their differences.

Mary married Raymond Frasch in 1995 and gained additional children through that marriage. She loved Ray madly and they shared a passion for boating, fishing, golfing and dogs. Ray was her caregiver and companion for many years as her body endured countless physical ailments.

Mary loved being a den mother for her sons’ Boy Scouts troops. She enjoyed capturing her family’s life events and adventures with photographs. Mary was an avid nature and animal lover. There was always a safe haven for lost, injured or homeless little creatures at Mary’s house.

Mary was self-taught in many skills- house remodeling, crafting, drawing/painting, woodworking, refurbishing antiques, sewing, making extravagant cakes. For many years, all Halloween costumes for her kids, husband and dog, Gertie, were a result of her loving handiwork. As a single woman, equipped with her TIME “Do It Yourself” books, she made it clear that a woman could tackle any project.

Mary was a devout Catholic and loved teaching Catechism classes. She enjoyed an extensive collection of religious pictures and loved being surrounded by images of Jesus. She had a great reverence for Mother Mary and she kept angels tucked away in every corner she could find.

Mary worked in the medical field most of her adult life. She served as the activities director at the Neligh nursing home and later as an assistant for Dr. Peetz at his private practice. After becoming a single mom, she worked tirelessly, while going to college to obtain her nursing education. Mary worked as a nurse in Neligh and Tilden. She kept many handwritten letters she received from patients’ family members, thanking her for the extraordinary love, care and compassion she gave to their loved ones. She was blessed to be able to help care for both of her own parents as they were dying.

Since 2017, Mary resided in the Neligh nursing home. She never lost her innate sense of responsibility to care for others. She was a strong advocate not only for herself, but also for other residents. She was lovingly watchful over the most vulnerable souls, especially those who could not verbalize their own needs. Mary kept the nursing staff on their toes with her quick wit and unabashed sense of humor.

Mary was granted eternal rest with our Savior on Palm Sunday, April 13th, 2025. Mary has been reunited with her loved ones in Heaven, including her parents Ed and Betty Wells, sister Susan Sanderson, brother John Wells and two angel children who were too precious for this earth.

Mary is survived by her children Scott and Jen Cornett (Caleb, Shay, Kaitlyn, Aidan), Mike and Leah Cornett (Maddy) and Angie Cornett & Jeff Wallem (Nick), Ray Frasch and his children (Brandon, Larissa, Leesha) and Dick (Kathy) Cornett.