Mary A. Starzl

Mary A. Starzl, 85, of Emerson, Nebraska, died on Sunday, November 27, 2011 at the Heritage of Emerson Nursing Home. Funeral services for Mary will be held on Thursday, December 1, 2011 at 10:30 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Emerson, Nebraska with Fr. Gerald Leise officiating. The visitation will be held on Wednesday from 3:00 to 8:00 p.m., with the family present from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Church. There will be a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery in Emerson. Munderloh Funeral Home of Pender is in charge of the arrangements. Mary was born on November 10, 1926 near Hubbard, Nebraska, the daughter of Hollas and Mary (Sullivan) Watkins. She attended rural schools, and later, Hubbard High School where she graduated in 1945. She then attended Wayne State, where she earned her teaching certificate and taught in rural schools. Mary was married to Louis Starzl on October 4, 1947. To this union five children were born: Mary Lou, Joe, Margaret, Jean and John. After the death of her husband Louis in 1970, Mary returned to Wayne State College full time and in May of 1974 she earned her bachelor's degree. Mary taught at a rural school for two years, and then taught at Emerson-Hubbard from 1976 until her retirement in 1994. After retiring, she enjoyed her grandchildren, traveling and playing cards with friends. Mary was a long time member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, where she was active in the Altar Guild. She is survived by her children: Mary Lou and husband Cliff Mustapha of Victorville, CA; Joe Starzl of Emerson, Margaret and husband Dennis Turner of Sioux Falls, SD; Jean and husband Larry Sohren of Hershey, PA; and John and wife Sharon Starzl of Emerson. Mary is also survived by sixteen grandchildren and sixteen great-grandchildren. Mary is also survived by her brothers Robert and wife Marty Watkins of Kalispell, MT; Francis (Elmer) and wife Karilyn Watkins of South Sioux City, NE; Raymond and wife Phyllis Watkins of Camdenton, MO; sisters-in-law: Doris Watkins of Sioux City, IA; Esther Watkins of Hubbard, NE; and Kathy Watkins of Dakota City, NE. Mary was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Louis, brothers: Hollas, Charles, Lawrence, John, and Jerry Watkins, and an infant brother.