Mary Lea (Robeson) Lashley

CURTIS -- Mary Lea (Robeson) Lashley, 77, died Thursday (April 11, 2002) at her home in the Senior Living Choices at Curtis. She was born July 28, 1924, in Sharon Springs, Kan., to Steven and Elizabeth (Gregor) Robeson. The family moved to Nebraska in 1928 and lived in the Curtis community where she attended grade school and the Nebraska School of Agriculture. On March 12, 1942, she married Buddy Lashley at Oberlin. They farmed north of McCook. She cooked at the concessions at Red Willow Lake for 10 years and was a professional housekeeper. In 1996 she was presented the Nebraska Farm Pioneer Award by the Knights of Ak-Sar-Ben and ConAgra for continued ownership of the same Nebraska farm for 100 years or more.

She was a 4-H leader and a past member of the Garden Prairie Extension Club.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Buddy in 1991.

Survivors include one daughter, Judy and husband, Steve Splitt of North Platte; three sons, Buddy L. and wife, Norma Lashley of Curtis, Benny and wife, Karen Lashley and Tommy and wife, Lana Lashley all of McCook; nine grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.

Graveside services will be Saturday, 11 a.m., at the Garden Prairie Cemetery on Highway 83, 18 miles north of McCook, with the Rev. Richard Sykes officiating.

Visitation is today until 9 p.m. at Blase-Wetzel Funeral Home in Curtis.

Memorials may be given in her name to the Garden Prairie United Methodist Church or the Garden Prairie Cemetery Fund.

Blase-Wetzel Funeral Home of Curtis is in charge of arrangements.