Marie Joan Williams

Marie Joan Sass was born on April 29, 1933 to the late William and Lora Sass and was the oldest of 5 children. Her siblings Helen, Roland, Walt and Sylvia were all very close. Marie graduated from Elkhorn High School. Marie married and two children were born to the union: Cindy and Jim. Being the strong woman that she was, she decided to end that marriage. Marie was working at Mutual of Omaha when she met Joe Curtsinger. Joe loved Marie and her children and they were married and became the Curtsinger family. They resided in the Florence area of Omaha, until they eventually moved to Bennington where Marie worked at the grocery stores in town. They were very happy. Sadly, Joe passed away in 1973. Marie took a job at Oft’s as a waitress and that is where she met Wesley Williams. Wes was a spunky man full of life and Marie fell in love. They were married in 1975. Marie loved traveling. She attended many Navy reunions with Wes and collected a travel spoon everywhere she went. Marie worked at Kelley Bowling Alley in Florence where she found that she enjoyed bowling and started bowling on leagues. Marie loved visiting with family and friends. Her family often went to her looking for her point of view and she always was willing to help with anything they needed. In her spare time, Marie loved to read and to write letters to family and people that she met at the Navy reunions. She also enjoyed sewing and was often sewing patches in Wes’ and Jim’s jeans. People often commented on how strong she was, having had great loss and also surviving breast cancer and ovarian cancer. Her strong will and her ability to keep her head up in every situation was an inspiration. When she retired, she volunteered as the funeral lunch lady at St John’s Lutheran Church through the Ladies Auxiliary for many years. Sadly Wes passed away in November of 1996. Marie continued to reside in Bennington in, “the last house on the hill,” with her daughter Cindy. She enjoyed everything to do with her grandchildren and later her great grandchildren; she loved spending time with them. Sadly her son, Jim Curtisinger passed suddenly on February 19, 2015. Marie was receiving care at Brookstone Meadows when she passed peacefully to be with her family in heaven on March 22, 2015 at the age of 81. She was preceded in death by her parents, William and Lora Sass, husbands: Harold, Joe and Wesley; brother Roland Sass and son, Jim Curtsinger. Marie is survived by her daughter, Cindy Buhl; daughter- in-law, Pam Curtsinger; three grandchildren; seven great grandchildren and one great great grandchild. Marie J. Williams, age 81, of Bennington, NE, died 3/22/15. Preceded in death by parents Bill & Laura Sass, husbands; Harold, Joe and Wesley, son Jim Curtsinger, brother Rollie Sass. Survived by daughter Cindy Buhl and daughter-in-law Pam Curtsinger, grandchildren; Beth, Jeff and Jessica, 7 great grandchildren, and 1 great great grandson; siblings; Helen (Duane) Braesch of Bennington, Walt (Gloria) Sass of Kennard, NE, and Sylvia Green of Fremont. Funeral service Thursday, 11 AM, St. John’s Lutheran Church, Bennington. Visitation Wednesday from Noon to 8 PM with family receiving friends from 6-8 PM at the funeral home in Elkhorn. Interment Prospect Hill Cemetery, Elkhorn. Memorials to the family.

Marie Joan Williams

April 29, 1933 - March 22, 2015