Mary Glasco

Mary Glasco

Sept. 3, 1916 - May 2, 2012

BENKELMAN, Nebraska -- Mary Frances Glasco was born Sept. 3, 1916, near Imperial, Nebraska, to Peter and Mary (Gleason) O'Brien. As young girl she grew up on the family farm and attended rural country school. Mary graduated from Chase County High School, Imperial, in 1935. She received teacher's certificates in 1936, 1938, and 1941, to teach elementary school in Nebraska.

Mary was united in marriage to Harold Arthur Glasco on Febr. 5, 1945, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Benkelman, Nebraska. Their honeymoon was in Denver, Colorado. They celebrated their first anniversary by traveling to the Denver Stock Show, where Harold gave Mary her first anniversary gift, a watch.

The couple first settled on Harold's ranch, which was 13 miles southwest of Bird City, Kansas. They later bought Mary's parent's farm in Northwest Kansas and farmed for several years. Harold and Mary moved to Colorado and New Mexico following Harold employment as a District Manager for the Denver Post. They were interested in purchasing a ranch and making Colorado their home but couldn't find anything suitable, so they moved back the farm in Kansas. In 1967, the couple made Benkelman, Nebraska, their permanent home. They continued to farm and devoted their lives to raising their children, making many sacrifices for them and the grandchildren that followed.

Harold and Mary were wonderful parents and devout Catholics. They were long time members of St. Joseph's Catholic Church of Benkelman. They set a beautiful example for their children, grandchildren, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Mary and Harold loved to dance. They were a graceful and beautiful couple. She loved to grow flowers especially roses. Her flower gardens were beautiful and full of color. Harold loved to grow vegetables. His sweet corn was the best corn in the world. Mary was also a wonderful baker and cook. Her fried chicken was legendary. One of her grandsons said that her deep fat fryer should be in a museum. Mary passed away Wednesday, May 2, 2012, at the Chase County Hospital. Mary was 95 years of age.

Survivors include son, Larry Glasco and wife, Grace, of Washington State; daughter; Janet King and husband, Jan, of Twin Lakes, Minnesota; son, Tom Glasco and wife, Priscilla, of Fort Morgan, Colorado; son, Jim Glasco and wife, Alice, of Bayard, Nebraska; son, Clair Glasco and wife, Barb, of Colorado Springs, Nebraska; daughter, Rosemary Blair and husband, Tom, of Benkelman, Nebraska; daughter, Ann Sullivan and husband, Michael, of Rochester, Minnesota; son, Robert Glasco and wife, Susan, of Benkelman; son, Paul Glasco of Moses Lake, Washington; grandchildren, Scarlett, Gina, John, Jeff, Y-Vonne, Tara, Lisa, Tyler, Pat, John, Amy, Trishell, Nick, Stacey, Sheliah, Neelee, Juliane, Matthew, Sheree, Erik, Cari, Shannon, Dave, Derek, Josh, Levi, Adrienne, and Christopher; 36 great-grandchildren; sister, Agnes Ostdiek of Louisville, Colorado; brother, Mark O'Brien and wife, Margaret, of Moses Lake, Minnesota

Mary was preceded in death by her husband, two sons, Alan Harold and Mark Gregory, and three grandchildren, Kregg, Angelina, and Travis Glasco.

A funeral mass is Tuesday morning, May 8, 2012, at 10:30 a.m.. (MT) at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Benkelman, Nebraska with Father Tom Wiedel officiating. Interment will follow at the Benkelman Cemetery. Rosary is recited Monday, May 7, 2012, at 7 p.m.. (MT) at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Benkelman.

Visitation was Monday afternoon, May 7, 2012, 2-6 p.m. at Forch Funeral Chapel in Benkelman.

A memorial has been established in Mary's memory.

Forch Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.