Mary Burgess

Services for Mary Jane Meissner Burgess, 90, of Omaha will be at 11 a.m., Thursday, April 2, 1987, at Ralston United Church of Christ, 7638 Maywood Street.

A prayer service was held Wednesday, April 1, at 7:30 p.m. at Heafey, Heafey, Hofman West Center Chapel in Omaha. Internment will be a graveside service at 3 p.m. at the Kennard Cemetery.

Survivors include sons and daughters-in-law, William H. and Bernie Burgess, Omaha; Robert H. and Mary-Luise Burgess, Elkhorn; daughters and sons-in-law, Bonnie and Fred Abboud, Ralston; Betty and Gilbert Haas, Ralston; 10 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; a brother and sister-in-law, Henry and Salley Meissner, Ralston, and many nieces and nephews.

Mary Jane Meissner was born May 21, 1896, in Blair. Her parents, Karl and Natalie Meissner, lived on a farm near Blair.

She attended Gardner Country School, and graduated from Blair High School. She then attended Peru State Teacher’s College, and upon receiving certification, taught school for five years in Washington County.

She married William C. Burgess on September 4, 1918. To this union, five children were born. A son, John b. Burgess, died in 1935.

The family had resided in Omaha since 1924.

In 1942, shortly after the beginning of World War II, Mary returned to the workforce. Her eldest son had gone to war, and wishing to be part of the war effort, she enrolled in Technical High School in a riveting course. Upon completion of the course, she was employed by the Martin Bomber Plant, but not as a riveter as she had prepared, but as an inspector because she was one of the few applicants who had gone to college. She was on of the selected employees who continued to work at the plant for a year after the war.

She took a job with the Cudahy Packing Company and continued working at Cudahy until she was 68, when she retired.

Her Husband died in 1953.

She was an active member of Pilgrim Congregational Church for over 40 years; a member of the Daughters of Ruth; Eastern Star; Christie Heights Senior Center, and the Homestead Garden Club.

Her hobbies included gardening, bowling, bridge and politics.

Note: Mary is buried in Blk 4 Lot 18 Sp 2 in the Kennard Cemetery.