Mary Luetta Krull is now playing at another card table with all her old friends that went before. She joined them on Tuesday morning, May 16, 2023, from her home in Crete.
Mary was born to Fredrick and Elizabeth (Alber) Bangert on Oct. 15, 1932, in Mt. Clare. Mary grew up on the Bangert family farm near Lawrence. The farm remained in the family for more than 100 years.
Mary trained to be a registered nurse at Lincoln General Hospital and received her license in 1954. In 1952, at age 23, her nursing education was interrupted by polio for 18 months. Then, while working at Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston, tuberculosis was detected on a routine chest X-ray. She received treatment in Denver while also doing rehabilitation for polio. These setbacks did not slow her down. As soon as treatment was over, she continued with her love of nursing.
Mary’s early nursing career was spent in Seward, Red Cloud, Houston, Texas, and San Diego, California. Mary eventually came to work at Crete Municipal Hospital, where she stayed for 33 years until she retired in 1997.
Mary’s life was filled with love and adventure.
She married Larry McCready in Houston in 1957. They went on numerous vacations and camping trips with their three young children from seashores to mountains. Unfortunately, she lost Larry early in life.
Mary found love again when she married Omer Krull in 1981. Mary was surrounded by the love of her three children and new extended family for the rest of her life.
Mary found adventure throughout her life with family and friends. She tried everything from sports in high school to bowling leagues, casinos, bus tours, bingo and of course, cards.
At 74, she traveled to Alaska to see ice bergs cascade into the sound. At 77, she observed an active Hawaiian volcano from a helicopter. At 80, she enjoyed jazz music on Bourbon Street in New Orleans before traveling to an old antebellum home, where she sipped a Mint Julep on the veranda.
Mary’s 90th year was as full as her life. She enjoyed a water balloon fight with her grandkids. Her first great-great-granddaughter was born. She also met her twin 18-month-old great-granddaughters for the first time. Her 90th birthday was celebrated at the Crete Country Club with three generations of family from across Nebraska, Michigan, Minnesota and Arkansas to celebrate this milestone.
Mary is survived by son, Alan McCready, of Superior; son, Mike McCready, of Greenbrier Arkansas; daughter, Kathy McCready and husband Jon Petursson, of Snohomish Washington; son, Steve and wife Janie Krull, of Wichita, Kansas; son, Rick and wife Pamela Krull, of Colorado Springs, Colorado; daughter, Karen Krull Robart, of Lincoln; son, Bob and wife Jet Krull, of Wilber; daughter, Cathy and husband Tim Hatley, of Ocala, Florida; daughter, Chris and husband Rick Kennedy, of Lincoln; and many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and a great-great-grandchild.
A memorial service was May 22 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Crete. Memorial contributions are suggested to the donor's choice of charity in lieu of flowers. Arrangements by Kuncl Funeral Home.
