Mary D. (Donelan) Steinauer

Mary Darlene Steinauer (nee Donelan), 93, of Tecumseh, loving wife and mother, passed away on June 16, 2022. Mary was born to Felix and Mary Elizabeth (McCabe) Donelan in Montrose, SD. One of eight children, Mary grew up in the countryside with her siblings during the lean years of the Great Depression. She attended elementary school in Montrose, leaving home for Sioux Falls to attend high school and work at McKennan Hospital which was the beginning of her medical career. Presentation nuns provided
assistance for her to finish school at Cathedral High School in Sioux City, IA while working at St. Joseph’s Hospital. This culminated in a 3 year degree in registered nursing from St. Joseph’s in 1951.
Upon earning her degree, she moved to Santa Ana, CA working at St. Joseph Hospital in Orange, CA as a private pay nurse. While there, she met Clem Steinauer on a blind date at the Hollywood Palladium dance hall. According to Clem, Mary ”followed” him back to Omaha, Nebraska, where the two were then united in marriage in 1954.
They then moved to Tecumseh, and she began working at the local hospital. Once the new Johnson County Hospital was built, she continued providing care to patients for more than 40 years. Known for her compassion and patience, she was a mentor and role model to aspiring nurses.
With Clem, she raised five rambunctious children on the acreage in Tecumseh. While raising her children, she balanced work and home. Always an avid reader, she made weekly trips to the Tecumseh Library, and instilled the love of books in her children. In her retirement she she continued her love of card games, travel, puzzles, shopping, and family. She was a long-time member of St. Andrew's Catholic Church.
Mary is survived by her husband Clement of Tecumseh; five children, Karen Steinauer of Lincoln; Dan (Sallie) Steinauer of Lincoln; Jim (Susie) Steinauer of Lincoln; John (Renae) Steinauer of Bellevue; Joan (John) Juergens of Purchase, NY; Grandchildren, J. August (“Gus”) Shoemaker, Mackenzie (Evan) Sheaff, Sara (fiancé Elijah Carlisle) Steinauer, all of Lincoln, Emilie and Kaitlin Steinauer, both of Bellevue, Claire and Pierce Juergens, both of New York; sister Romanus Jean Donelan of Los Angeles,
and brother Mike Donelan of Montrose, SD.
She was preceded in death by her parents; sisters infant JoAnn, Sister Agnes Marie Donelan, Mary Therese Heiberger and brothers Larry Donelan, Merle Donelan, and Bernard Donelan. 

Mass of Christian Burial Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, June 22, 2022 at the St. Andrew Catholic Church in Tecumseh, Nebraska with Father Tom McGuire officiating.  The service will be livestreamed on the Wherry Mortuary/Wherry Monument Facebook page for those unable to attend.  A link to the live stream is also now available on the bottom of Mary's webpage.  A luncheon will follow in the church parish hall. 

Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. , with family greeting friends from 6-7 p.m. Tuesday, June 21, 2022 at the Wherry Mortuary in Tecumseh, Nebraska.  Rosary will be recited at 7:00 p.m.  The Nebraska Nurses Honor Guard will have a brief ceremony at 7:30 p.m.  A link to the livestream of the honor guard is now available on the bottom of Mary's webpage.

Interment will be in the St. Anthony's Catholic Cemetery, Steinauer, Nebraska at 1:30 p.m. with Father Michael Christensen officiating. 

Memorials may go to the Tecumseh Library or Johnson County Hospital Foundation.  

Online condolences may be left @ www.wherrymortuary.com.

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