Mary Jane Faessler

Mary Jane Faessler, 77, of Bridgeport died in her home Sunday, Aug. 3, 2008, surrounded by her family after a battle with Lou Gehrigs disease.

She was the eldest child of four and only daughter born Jan. 19, 1931, to Ray and Freda (Ross) Stevens in Broadwater. She grew up on her family farm near Broadwater, and was a graduate from Bridgeport High School’s class of 1947. She obtained a teaching degree at Hastings College, and taught elementary school until she met John Faessler Jr. They were married on Dec. 30, 1950, in Fort Morgan, Colo. She devoted her life to her husband and worked alongside him and their children on their family farm in the Bridgeport area until her illness forced her to retire. She was very involved in the lives of her seven children and numerous grandchildren. She was also very active in her community through out the years. Organizations she was involved include being a member of the First Presbyterian Church, the Bridgeport Garden Club, the Court House Rock Extension Club, the Nebraska Potato Council, the Bridgeport School Board, the Trails Toastmistress Club, the Nebraska Cow Belles, the Prairie Winds Foundation Board, the Wells Fargo Western Advisory Board, the Morrill County 4-H Council, the Geritol Golf League, the Morrill County Republican Women and a charter member of the Nebraska Cattlewomen’s Association.

She will be remembered for her fun-loving nature and her inner strength that was beyond our imagination. She touched all those who she knew with her love and laughter.

Survivors include: her children and their spouses, Marci and Tom Paulson of Fremont, Randy and Terri Faessler of Sidney, Susan and Jeff Neely, Bobbi and Kent Wright, Kurt and Shauna Faessler, Todd and Jan Faessler, Bruce and Lori Faessler, all of Bridgeport; brothers, Charles E. Stevens of Williston, N.D., and John R. Stevens of Eaton, Colo.; 21 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death are her husband, John, her parents, and an infant brother, Chester Stevens.

A celebration of her life will be 10 a.m. Thursday at the First Presbyterian Church in Bridgeport with the Revs. Scott and Leann Thompson officiating. Interment will be in the Oregon Trail Memorial Cemetery following the ceremony. Visitation will be Wednesday from 9 A.M. to 8 P.M. at the Bridgeport Memorial Chapel.

Memorials may be given to Prairie Haven Hospice, Prairie Winds Community Center, First Presbyterian Church, the Morrill County Physical Therapy Family Resource Center, the ALS Association, or the donor’s choice.