Marie S Stavas

Marie S. Stavas(Stehno) entered her eternal journey on November 10,2021, peacefully in the arms of family and spirit of friends after a brief illness. She was born on the family farm in Hitchcock County near Stratton, Ne on March 12, 1931. Growing up in the Depression Era and drought ridden 1930’s in the Midwest, she learned fortitude ,compassion and humor that marked her persona for years to come. Marie studied nursing in Denver, Co and became a licensed practical nurse (LPN) after graduating from High School in Stratton, NE. She returned home and began working at the local McCook, NE hospital. She meet her husband, Joseph L. Stavas through mutual friends in McCook. Joseph was working as a radio announcer in McCook, NE when they met. They married on June 30,1952 at St Joseph’s Catholic Church in Stratton, Ne. Joseph and Marie were married 67 years before Joseph left his bride on September 10, 2019. Joseph and Marie moved to western Ne and Northeast Kansas before settling in Columbus, NE in the early 1960’s. This is where they prospered and raised their family. Marie was a very generous person. She opened her home up to many foster children, exchange students and traveling relatives through the years. She invited cousins, and friends to visit and enjoyed entertaining many Holidays and summer gatherings at their lake home near Schuyler, NE. She never believed in people being strangers and was always welcoming and loving towards others. She felt family and friends were very important in her life and stressed this to her family as well. Marie loved and cared for her flower garden, many plants & bird feeders. She loved sharing her flowers with family and friends and watching birds and squirrels eating from the many bird feeders in her yard. She especially loved her roses and fed them tenderly. She was a longtime faithful member of St. Bonaventure Catholic Church in Columbus, Ne. Marie is preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Mary (Sis) Stehno; sister, Regina C Weskamp; brothers Raymond and Edmund Stehno and her husband, Joseph L Stavas. She is survived by a sister, Rose Brinks from LaPorte, Co and sister in law JoAnn Svajgr(Al) as well as her daughter, Jacqueline K Pletan (Warren), and sons Jospeh M Stavas ( Maureen) and Kenneth J Stavas. She has nine grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. A memorial Mass of Christian Rite will be celebrated on December 4, 2021 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church at 204th and Maple St. Elkhorn, Ne at 11:00 AM. Memorials to St Bonaventure Catholic Church, 1565 18th Ave., Columbus, NE 68601

Marie S Stavas

March 12, 1931 - November 10, 2021