Watch Mary Lou's Tribute Video Here

Funeral Services for Mary Lou Wettlaufer, age 94 of O'Neill, NE, will be 10:30 am Tuesday, November 15, 2022 at the First Presbyterian Church in O'Neill with burial to follow at the O'Neill Cemetery. Visitation will be 5-7 pm Monday, November 14, 2022, with a Prayer Service at 7:00 pm at Biglin's Mortuary in O'Neill. Mary Lou passed away on Wednesday, November 9, 2022 at Avera St. Anthony's Hospital in O'Neill. Memorials are suggested to the First Presbyterian Church of O'Neill. Arrangements are entrusted to Biglin's Mortuary of O'Neill.

Mary Lou Shrader was born on December 23, 1927 on the family farm near Ewing, Nebraska to William and Martha (Kohlhof) Shrader. She attended school in Ewing and graduated from Ewing High School in 1944. After graduation, Mary Lou was employed by County Judge Louis Reimer.

She married Gerald Wettlaufer on October 2, 1946, at the Presbyterian Church in O'Neill. They made their home in the O'Neill area, where Mary Lou worked at the REA office for nine years. She later served as bailiff for jury trials in Holt County for several years. To this union, one son was born.

Mary Lou loved flowers and yellow finches. Family meant a lot her and she enjoyed attending the school activities of her grandchildren and great grandchildren. In their later years, after Gerald retired, they spent several winters in Texas.

Mary Lou is survived by her son, Gary (Peggy) of O'Neill, NE; 4 grandchildren, Natalie Nanfito of Kearney, NE, Cortney (Jason) Williams of Utica, NE, Cory Wettlaufer of Nashville, TN, and Crystal (Ryan) Walters of Chambers, NE; 7 great grandchildren, Ashley (Jeff) Hoppenstedt, Terra Nanfito, Heather Nanfito, Isabella Lichti, Claire Walters, Nash Walters, and Lilly Williams; and one great great grandchild, Everett Hoppenstedt.

Mary Lou is preceded by her parents, William and Martha (Kohlhof) Shrader; husband, Gerald in 2010, brothers, Eddy Shrader, Willie (Francis) Shrader; sisters, Alice Shrader, Betty (Verl) Gunter, and Dorothy (Archie) Johnston.