Mary Ellen Dailey

Mary Ellen Dailey, age 102, a longtime Lodgepole area resident, passed away in Sidney, NE on Monday, April 22, 2024. A Rosary Service will be held at 10:00 A.M. on Monday, April 29, 2024 at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Sidney, NE with a Mass of Christian Burial to follow at 10:30 A.M. Father C.P. Varghese will be officiating. Burial will follow at the Greenwood Cemetery in Sidney.

There will be no visitation. Memorials may be made in Mary Ellen's name to the Lodgepole Community Fund, PO Box 266, Lodgepole, NE 69149 or the charity of your choice.

You may view Mary's Book of Memories, leave condolences, photos and stories at http://www.gehrigstittchapel.com. Gehrig-Stitt Chapel & Cremation Service, LLC is in charge of Mary's care and funeral arrangements.

Mary Ellen (Nelson) Dailey was born to Alfred and Eva Nelson in 1921 at Farmington, Washington. She had three older brothers, Harold, Walter, and Milton; and one sister Doris. They lived on the family farm in Garfield and after attending country grade schools she graduated from Garfield High School. Mary Ellen attended Lewiston State Normal School and later Eastern Washington College. She met Robert James Dailey while both were teaching in Idaho. Mary continued teaching while her "Jim" was overseas during WWII. When he returned, they were married in Colville, WA by Father Flohr.

They came to live on the Dailey family farm south of Sunol, Nebraska. Later they moved the house: lock, stock, and barrel; to their place near Lodgepole, Nebraska. The family was complete with four children: Bernard, Doris, Daniel, and Philip. Robert and Mary Ellen were Old Settler's King & Queen in 1999 and Mary said, "there isn't a better place to live than Lodgepole, NE."

Mary Ellen loved her family. She enjoyed sewing, gardening, canning and cooking for them. Many friends and neighbors enjoyed her pickles, kolaches, chocolate chip cookies, angel food cakes, and apple pies. She was very proud of her family with all her children receiving college degrees; she lived through the Blizzard of '49, many hail storms, the drought of 1992; all of which she noted in her own family history book. Mary Ellen and Robert were together through it all and remained steadfast until Robert's passing in 2007. She stayed on the farm for many years enjoying her cattle, the smell of fresh cut alfalfa, and the wheat harvest. As the years flew by, her family grew with nine grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren. All were around her table for a good meal, lots of laughter, and the freedom of riding a tractor, exploring the Rock House, or walking along Lodgepole Creek.

Mary Ellen joined her 'second family' at SRMC Extended Care in 2019 and there she added many

milestones in her life. She celebrated birthdays and especially her 102nd birthday with her family.

Thanks to the nurses, staff and Dr. Matthews for the gentle loving care they provided.

Survivors include: son Bernie of Cheyenne, WY; daughter Doris & Charles Schmidt of Lakewood, CO; son Dan & Janet of Bayard, NE; and son Phil & Carol of Lodgepole, NE; Grandchildren: Bob, Becky, Bill, Ella, Julie, Richard, Anna, Ben, and Sam; Great-Grandchildren: Grace, Ava, John, Katie, Maisie, James, Andrew, Ben, Natalie, and Claire. Nieces and nephews: Linda, Charlotte, Bruce, Harold, Kathy, and Rose.

Mary Ellen was preceded in death by her parents, brothers and sister; husband Robert James; and daughter-in-law Joyce