December 18, 1937 ~ January 21, 2022
Mary Catherine (McCage) Siske was born December 18, 1937 in Falls City, Nebraska to Lewis Ross and Nellie Irene (Butler) McCage. She entered Eternal Life January 21, 2022 at the age of 84.
Mary lived in Falls City for 12 years and then the family moved to a farm northeast of Table Rock. She attended Falls City Elementary, 7th – 8th grades at Pleasant Hill District #52, 9th grade at Humboldt High and completed her high school education at Table Rock High graduating in 1956.
On June 15, 1957 Mary was united in marriage to Robert Garold Siske at Salem United Church of Christ, rural Steinauer, NE. Born to this union were four daughters, Kathryn Ilene, Carolyn Marie, Sherri Beth and Rhonda Dee. They lived in Table Rock until 1962 when they moved to Pawnee City.
Mary was a licensed cosmetologist, training as an apprentice under her mother. Mary owned and operated Mary’s Kut and Kurl for 18 years and ran a home daycare beginning in 1970. Her love for children led her to being a foster care provider for 15 years, leader of 4-H, Junior Girl Scout Leader, volunteer Preschool teacher for SENCA for 12 years and Salem’s United Church of Christ Sunday School teacher for 12 years.
She was a member of Salem United Church of Christ since 1957, a Lifetime member of VFW Auxiliary #5289 and a Lifetime member of American Legion Auxiliary Unit #168.
Mary’s hobbies included reading, sewing, embroidery; her beautiful tea towels are enjoyed by many. She worked word search, crossword and jigsaw puzzles, there was always a puzzle on the table. She loved attending polka dances and playing in the weekly pinochle games. Mary thoroughly enjoyed her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and all of her daycare children.
She is preceded in death by her parents Ross and Irene McCage, husband Robert in 1979, daughter Rhonda VanDertholen and her unborn son, Zane Robert Ross VanDertholen, granddaughter April Renee Kreifel, sister-in-law Betty Mommens and special friend Delmar Wieschmann.
Mary is survived by her daughters and sons-in-laws, Katy (Gregory) Kreifel, Carolyn (Donald) Christen, Sherri (Robert) Smith; grandchildren Lindsay (John) Kostecka, Jeffrey (Jessica) Kreifel, Courtney (Robert) Kosiski, Jordan Christen; great grandchildren Johnna Kostecka, Owen Kreifel, Everlynn Kreifel, Spencer Kosiski, Chase Kosiski and Hudson Kosiski; sister Gleora (LaVon) Covault, brother Joy Ross McCage, brother-in-law Donald (Alice) Siske, nieces, nephews and friends.