I was born in 1925 to my parents Charles and Alice Burke.  We lived in Bassett, Nebraska, a little town in the Sand Hills, where my Dad was a dentist and my mom was a warm & generous lady, always welcoming an extra plate at the table.

My younger siblings, Jim and Julie are both deceased.  My early life in a small town was carefree.  Skating, riding my bike, climbing trees, and knowing everyone in town.

High school brought me Royce O. Kreitman, a man I have loved all of my life.  We were married in 1942 and moved to Long Beach, California where we lived in a tiny apartment near the ocean.  There I found my love of the Pacific.  Two of our children, Judy and Dan were born in Long Beach.

We moved to Lincoln, Nebraska in 1950.  We bought an old house with an extra lot with apple trees and room for kids to play.  Bill, Brook, and Royce were born while we lived here.  It was a good life with our five children.

In 1965, we bought a farm near Ceresco, Nebraska where we lived for 50 years.  Royce farmed, raised some gentle Hereford cattle, and went to work at Goodyear for 32 years.  He loved fishing, rifle and bow hunting, and elk hunting with his boys.

My husband, Royce died at the age of 87 from a brain bleed occurring from a previous fall.  I stayed on the farm for a few years and later moved to Eagle to live in the country with my daughter Judy and her husband Ron.

After rehab for a broken neck at Gateway Manor, I moved there to live for a year.  It was not long enough to make friends with all the good people, staff, and residents there.

I leave my children and grandchildren:

Dan Kreitman (son) and his wife Patty (granddaughters, Jill and Heather)

Dan, whom I could always depend on to be there when I needed him and thank you for taking your Dad elk hunting.

Bill Kreitman (son) and his wife Laurie (grandsons, Joshua and Luke)

Bill, with whom I had many happy times looking for old treasures, movies at The Ross, and sharing his love of art.  I always felt welcome in your home.

Royce M. Kreitman (son) and his wife Jo (grandsons, Gage, Tyler, Dylan and granddaughter, Sara)

Royce, a loving and hard-working son who shared his love of music with me and best of all married his wife, Jo.  That brought me much happiness.

Judy Hietbrink (daughter) and her husband Ron (granddaughters, Ronalee and Mary)

Judy, your hard work and loving, compassionate care let me have comfortable and happy days.  I am grateful to you and no one could ever take your place.  Thank you for caring for me as you did.

Brook Kreitman (predeceased son)

Brook, you were a fun, loving spirit who lit up the room with your presence.  Your gift to our family was making anything and everything fun.  I never stopped missing you.

I ask for cremation, no service, and please know I have had a good life.

Also predeceased by:

Royce O. Kreitman (husband), Michael Kreitman (grandson), Michelle Kreitman (granddaughter), and Levi Kreitman (grandson)

From the family:

A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, November 3^rd, 2019 from 4:00-7:00 p.m. at The Isles, 6232 Havelock Avenue in Lincoln.  Memorials will be directed to Matt Talbot Kitchen.

There are many great grandchildren, extended family, neighbors, and friends of Mary who we are forever grateful for.   Thank you for being a part of her life.

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