Mary Faye Egbarts

Mary Faye (Whetham) Egbarts was born on July 8, 1938 on a farm in Lynch, Nebraska to Robert and Vada (Long) Whetham. She grew up in Holt County, Nebraska where she attended grade school. Her mother was her first teacher. She attended Spencer High School through the 10th grade. Growing up, Mary loved animals. One day she found a puppy in the yard and asked her dad if she could keep him, he said ‘yes’ and it was the beginning of life-long companionships with dogs and cats. In 1954, Mary married Willie Van Buren, Sr. and to this union five children were born: Cyndy, Willie, Jr., Tim, Bev and Roger. The family grew up in Valley. Mary and Willie divorced in 1972. On July 25, 1975, Mary married Wilbur Egbarts at the Judge’s Beautiful Garden in Keystone, South Dakota. Through the years the family has lived in Valley, Nebraska, New Castle, Wyoming, Denver, Colorado, and Fremont, Nebraska. Family was very important to Mary. She especially loved spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was a Girl Scout’s Troup Leader in Valley. Mary was a great listener and had many friends. She was always there for whatever was needed. Mary enjoyed life and spending time with Wilbur. She also enjoyed playing Keno and Bingo. But the most enjoyable times were sitting down to a good hot meal with family and friends. Mary passed away on Monday, April 13, 2009 at the Fremont Area Medical Center in Fremont, Nebraska. She was preceded in death by her mother, Vada Whetham and her broth Lloyd Whetham. Mary is survived by her husband Wilbur; children Cyndy and Mike Ellermeier of Broomfield, Colorado, Willard Jr. “Butch” and Babbett Van Buren of Valley, Nebraska, Timothy L. Van Buren, Sr. and his companion Vicki Wilson of Omaha, Beverly Stepusin and her companion Steve Kisner of Liberal, Kansas, and Roger Van Buren and his companion Robin Baer of Cedar Bluffs, Nebraska; 15 Grandchildren and 14 Great Grandchildren; father Robert ‘Bob’ Whetham of Newcastle, Wyoming; sisters Maxine Kaul of Newcastle and Phyllis Winkler and her husband Harold of Lakewood, Colorado; and brother Loren Whetham of Newcastle.

Mary Faye Egbarts

July 8, 1938 - April 13, 2009