Mary passed peacefully after a seven-year battle with cancer. She was surrounded by family and loved ones.
Mary was born in Lincoln to Leon F. and Matilda J. (Klasek) Hesh. She resided in Wilber, attended school and graduated from Wilber High School in 1976. Mary married her high school sweetheart, Dale Ourecky, in 1977. She and Dale made their forever home on their farm west of Wilber. Mary graduated from Reece and Sybil School of Cosmetology in Lincoln in 1977. After working as a cosmetologist at Miller and Paine, Mary joined Karen’s Salon in Wilber, where she worked for more than 20 years. Mary continued her career in Lincoln, where she ran the Bernina store. Mary then went to work for Hancock Fabrics, as an educator and trainer. In 2008, Mary took a position with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, as the visitor services supervisor for the International Quilt Museum.
Mary was an accomplished seamstress. She started her business, “In Stitches,” a sewing and alterations business, several years ago. Her “Minky” blankets and T-shirt quilts have put smiles on faces of many all across the country. Mary Ourecky, or Mary O, as she was commonly referred to, was kind, caring, and had a positive outlook on life. She was always willing to lend a helping hand. She loved her children and grandchildren and enjoyed making them special treats. Unique Halloween costumes, birthday flags and shirts were among the many fun items she graced the kids with. Mary never met a stranger. She will leave a void in the lives of many. Mary made the world a better place and brought sunshine wherever she went.
Mary is survived by husband, Dale; daughters, Jamie (Gabe) Sand, Wilber, Elizabeth (Guy) Stinnett, Choctaw, Oklahoma, and son, Aron (Elizabeth) Ourecky, Wilber; grandchildren, Easton, Jase and Bryson Sand, Evelyn and Krislin Ourecky; sisters, Tess (Bob) O’Connell, Yorkville, California, Susie (Tom) Stokebrand, Phoenix, Arizona, and brother, Steve Hesh, Berkley, California. Mary is also survived by her sisters-in-law, Judy (Larry) Kubicek, Gretna, and Betty Ourecky, Lincoln, and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Leon and Matilda Hesh, and nephew, Green Hesh.
A Celebration of Life was April 10 at the United Methodist Church in Wilber. Memorial contributions are suggested to the Mary Ourecky family and will be divided between the following causes: Dvoracek Memorial Library, Wilber, to further the awareness of quilting; the Volunteer Program at the International Quilt Museum, Lincoln and a program to supply Minky blankets and pillow cases to the infusion patients at the Fred And Pamela Buffett Cancer Center at UNMC in Omaha. Mary had a special connection to each of these and it was her wish to support them. Condolences may be left for the family at www.kunclfh.com.
