Mary (Slapnicka) Schleis, age 99 of Wilber, died Dec. 23, 2022, in Crete.
She was born May 2, 1923, in Saline County,to James and Marie (Mafka) Slapnicka and lived all her life in Wilber, where she attended Wilber High School and graduated in 1942. She was united in marriage to Wencil Schleis on June 10, 1942, and they celebrated 60 years of marriage before his passing in 2002. Mary worked for Wissenburg Drug Store and Barnas Drug (George and Steve Barnas) for more than 37 ½ years and was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary for 71 years, the Wilber Fire Women’s Auxiliary, the EX-POW Lincoln Chapter, and Extension Club.
Mary enjoyed her family time, camping, school activities, slot machines at the casino and traveling. She was a fan of NBA basketball and Nebraska football.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Wencil; parents, James and Marie Slapnicka; sister, Sylvia, at age three; daughter-in-law, Elizabeth Schleis; brothers-in-law, Warren Schleis and Milo Schleis; and sisters-in-law, Elisabeth Schleis and Marguerite Engel.
Mary is survived by her son, Herbert Gene Schleis and special friend, Barbara, of Sapulpa, Oklahoma; daughter, Cynthia Ann Kalkwarf and husband, Dave, of Wilber; sister, Ann Wollenburg, of DeWitt; sister-in-law, Elaine Schleis, of Wilber; five grandchildren, Brenda Watson and husband, Tim, of Wilber, Bradley Kalkwarf and wife, Kelly, of Wilber, Amy Guthmiller and husband, Gary, of Utah, Benjamin Schleis and wife, Gladish, of England, and Catherine Schleis of Arizona; great-grandchildren, Trevor Watson and wife, Abby, of Wilber, Clinton Watson and wife, Shelby, of Adams, Jacqueline, Thea Mary and Emerson Kalkwarf, of Wilber, Sydney Armstrong of Colorado, and Olivia Armstrong of Arizona; great-great-grandchildren, Harper and Hayes Watson, of Wilber, and Halsey and Lathan Watson, of Adams.
The funeral service will be Monday, Jan. 2, at 11 a.m. at Kuncl Funeral Home in Wilber. Viewing and guest book signing will be Friday, Dec. 30, from 3 to 6 p.m. at the funeral home (family will not be present). Memorial contributions are suggested to Wilber Fire & Rescue. Arrangements by Kuncl Funeral Home in Wilber.
