Mary McDowell

Hastings resident, Mary Jane (Dieken) McDowell, 84, passed away Saturday, December 19, 2009, at Mary Lanning Memorial Hospital.

Services will be Wednesday, December 23, 2009; 10:30 A.M. at First Christian Church, Hastings with Rev. Dr. Judith Allen officiating. Burial will be in Parkview Cemetery, Hastings, Nebraska. Visitation will be Tuesday, December 22, 2009; 12:00 P.M. - 9:00 P.M. with family present 6:00 P.M. - 8:00 P.M., at the funeral home and 1 hour prior to service at the church. Memorials may be given to First Christian Church or the Eastern Star.

Mary Jane was born May 4, 1925 in Doniphan, Nebraska, to Adam F & Mary (Kennedy) Dieken. After Mary (Kennedy) Dieken passed away, Mary Jane's father married Emma Papenhagen. Mary Jane graduated from Hastings High School in 1943 and married Emmet N. McDowell in Hastings on January 11, 1951. Emmet preceded her in death in 1979. Mary Jane worked in the Adams County Clerks office for over 50 years. She was a member of the First Christian Church and served on various committees. She was also a member of Acacia Chapter #39 Eastern Star, Daughter of the Nile #108 and YWCA.

Mary Jane was preceded in death by her parents, husband and infant daughter.

Survivors include:
Son & Spouse : Thomas & Beverly McDowell - Snohomish, WA
Daughter : Patty McDowell - Oklahoma
Sister : Adeline Ballou - Wilsonville, NE
Brother & Spouse : Jack & Chieko Dieken - Oklahoma City, OK
Sisters-in-law & Spouse : Lois Hoppe - Bloomfield, NE
Kay & Richard Lush - Kearney, NE
Brother-in-law : Leland McDowell - Sioux Falls, SD
Many Nieces & Nephews and a host of friends .