Ann Marie Sernett

Ann was born on May 27, 1930 on a farm near Pocahontas, Iowa to Arthur and Berniece (Scanlan) McCartan. She attended school in Pocahontas and Havelock, Iowa and earned a two-year degree from Briar Cliff College in Sioux City, Iowa. She married Ken Sernett on May 28, 1951 at Sacred Heart Church in Pocahontas, Iowa. During their 74 years of marriage, Ann and Ken raised six children. They lived in several places: Fonda, Iowa, Dickinson, North Dakota, Omaha, Nebraska, Laurens, Iowa, Bella Vista, Arkansas, and Elkhorn, Nebraska. Ann and Ken enjoyed 26 winters in Florence Gardens, Arizona. Ann lived her life largely filled with many interests, activities and friends. She was a devout Catholic with a deep spirituality. Ann began her teaching career at age 19 in the Fonda Public Schools. She later worked as a librarian, a teacher’s aide, and thoroughly delighted in children of all ages, also being a foster mom to three different children. Ann’s best times in life were spent with family. She was full of gratitude for all the blessings in her life. Survivors include her husband, Ken; children: Colleen Sernett-Shadle (Steve) of South Sioux City, Nebraska, Teresa Witt (Dan) of Omaha, Nebraska, John Sernett (Lynne) of Prior Lake, Minnesota, Jim Sernett (Andrea) of Vienna, Austria, Tom Sernett (Stacy) of Mankato, Minnesota, and Tim Sernett (Colleen) of Prior Lake, Minnesota; siblings: Gene McCartan (Marilyn) of Pocahontas, Iowa, Rita Nelson of Sioux City, Iowa, Mary Virgillito (Sam) of Omaha, Nebraska, Tom McCartan (Sue) of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Jim McCartan (Mary) of Havelock, Iowa; grandchildren: Leah Shadle (Victor Roldan), Anne Shadle, Laura Luehne (Brian), John Witt, Mary Gargano (Jon), Sarah Kestel (Tim), Tom Witt (Andrea) Rachel Sauvage (Paul), Paul Witt (Erin), Jack Sernett (Alyssa), Hannah Fenstermacher (Holand), Sarah Doroff-Svobodny (Rob Svobodny), Emily Doroff (Chris), Steven Sernett, Susanna Sernett, Max Sernett, Sam Sernett, Bailey Sernett, Taylor Sernett, and Jake Sernett; 16 great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. Ann was preceded in death by her parents; brother and sister-in-law, Don and Carol McCartan; sister and brother-in-law, Joan and Jerry Wieker; nephew, Bob McCartan; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Jim and Alice Sernett; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Gene and Alice Sernett, Paul Sernett; Eileen and Mel Imming, Mary Beth and Dale Murray, and Harlan Nelson; and foster daughter, Kim Wilcox. A visitation will be held on Thursday, July 31 from 6-7 PM at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Elkhorn, NE. A Rosary will follow at 7 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 AM on Friday, August 1 at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Elkhorn. Interment at Mt. Calvary Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to St. Patrick's Catholic Church.

Ann Marie Sernett

May 27, 1930 - July 25, 2025