Mary Cozad

Hastings resident, Mary Frances "Tootie" Cozad, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, January 16, 2013, at the age of 85, with her daughters at her side.

Services will be Saturday, February 2, 2013; 10:30 A.M. at Butler Volland Chapel, Hastings with Pastor Tony Dawson officiating. Burial will be in Parkview Cemetery, Hastings, Nebraska. A light luncheon will be served in the reception room at the funeral home immediately following a short graveside service. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made to the hospice of your choice or St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital. There will be no visitation.

Tootie was born May 15, 1927 in Osceola, Missouri to Cecil Arden and Edna Cecil Vance. Her mother passed away when she was only nine years old. Relatives and family friends stepped in to provide her as stable a childhood as possible, ultimately instilling a strong sense of independence. She graduated from High School in 1945. Her classmate and friend Mary Caroline Cozad introduced Tootie to her brother Richard, who became her future husband. The couple married in March 1946 and settled in Independence, Missouri moving to Hastings, Nebraska in 1954, when Richard was hired by the J.M. McDonald Company. The McDonald Company promoted Richard and moved the family to California in 1964 then back to Hastings in 1973, where she continued to live after Richard passed away in 1987. Her daughters remained in California, but Tootie always considered Hastings her home and continued to thrive on her own for 25 years. Tootie was the ultimate homemaker, dedicated to caring for her home and her family. She was a wonderful cook, accomplished seamstress, quilter, knitter, golfer and amazing mother. Due to failing health in early 2012, her daughters convinced her to move to California so she could be closer to her family, where she resided until her passing. The six months that she lived in California were very special to her entire family, especially during the holidays. She missed Hastings and made it clear that she wanted to return and be laid to rest next her husband.

Survivors include:
Daughters: Carol Taylor (Scott)
Janis Varney (Cliff)
Grandchildren: Stacey Gonzales (Ryan)
Brandon Taylor
Lindsay Varney
Justin Taylor (Veronica)
Kyle Varney
Great-grandchildren: Dylan
Jacob
Cameron Gonzales, who lovingly called her GiGi