Marie Vogt

Marie Esther Vogt, 90, of Bancroft, NE, passed away Sunday, November 16, 2014 at Mercy Medical Center in Sioux City, IA. Funeral Services will be Wednesday, November 19, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in Bancroft, NE; Pastor Charity Potter is officiating. Visitation will be Tuesday, November 18, 2014 from 5:00 until 8:00 p.m. at Munderloh-Smith Funeral Home in Bancroft, NE. Burial will be at a later date in Bancroft Cemetery in Bancroft, NE. Memorials may be directed to the First Presbyterian Church in Bancroft, NE or the John G. Neihardt Center in Bancroft, NE. Arrangements are under the direction of Munderloh-Smith Funeral Home of Bancroft, NE. Marie was born June 9, 1924 to John and Stella (Zupkov) Mitchell in Pittsburgh, PA. Marie graduated from high school in Detroit, MI. After high school, Marie and her sister, Mae, made their way to Portland, OR. Being too small to enroll into the Navy during WWII, Marie worked at the Kaiser Ship Building Company in Vancouver, WA. Here, she met James R. Vogt. The two were united in marriage on April 25, 1945. To this union three children were born: Frank, Gregory and Mary Lou. At the end of the war, they returned to charming Bancroft to work at Jim’s father’s meat market. In 1963 they built a new grocery store featuring fresh meats and Jim’s signature German summer sausage. Marie began her work in the community as a member of the Community Improvement Program Committee. She then began her work in politics doing fund raising. She was elected to the State Central Committee. Marie attended the National Republican Convention as a delegate from Nebraska in 1972. Later, Marie met John G. Neihardt at a fund raiser. She was a member of the committee who supported the building of the John G. Neihardt State Historic Site in Bancroft. The museum was dedicated in August 1976. Marie continued her support as the longest serving member on the Board of Directors. Her many awards include an Admiral in the Navy of Nebraska, the Pioneer Award, and the Word Sender Award, which is given each to people who have made an outstanding contribution in promoting the works of John G. Neihardt. Marie and Jim were excellent golfers and fishermen. Marie could out fish him any day. The couple spent twenty years traveling to Viewpoint Resort in Mesa, AZ, where she sang in many choirs and started the group “The Good Time Singers,” and directed the All-Resort Musical Program. Marie is survived by her daughter Mary Lou Schweers of Bancroft, NE; grandchildren, Frank (Tabetha) Vogt of West Point, NE, and Jamie (Michael) Stout of Omaha, NE, and 5 great grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her husband, James; parents; sons, Franklin Vogt and Gregory Vogt, and sister, Mae Mancuso.