Mary Ann Dean

Mary Ann met the love of her life, James Dean, through her best friend, Joyce. Mary Ann and James were married April 18, 1961 in Miami, Oklahoma. They lived in northwest Arkansas and had three children: Deana, Jimmy and Michelle. She worked at Emerson Electric and Tyson, as well as running the household while James drove a truck across the United States.

The family moved to North Platte, NE in 1972 for a job opportunity for James with Consolidated Freightways. Mary Ann continued supporting the family at home and working at JCPenney outside the home. A job transfer took the family to Lincoln, NE in 1980. Mary Ann’s love for reading led her to a job at Paperback Exchange in north Lincoln. She worked there part-time for several years. James’ job took Mary Ann and James to Las Vegas, NV and Bonner Springs, KS before James’ retirement in 2002. They returned to Lincoln to live closer to their kids.

Mary Ann loved to read, collect angels, do word searches and watch crime-solving TV shows such as Perry Mason, Murder She Wrote, and Law & Order SVU. Mary Ann and James loved country music and going to Branson to see some of their favorite performers. When they could no longer travel, they loved to spend Saturday nights watching country music variety shows on TV. She loved spending time with family - especially her kids and grandkids. Mary Ann was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary - Lincoln, Unit No 3. Mary Ann was an organ and tissue donor. She gave the gift of life through her donation.

Mary Ann is survived by her husband of 63 years James; her three children: Deana Torres (Steve Morrell) of Lone Grove, OK, Jimmy (Angie) Dean of Lincoln, NE, and Michelle (Troy) Davis of Lincoln, NE; grandchildren: Van Torres (Katie Rutherford) of Calhan, CO, Michaela Dean of Lincoln, NE, Jillian Dean of Lincoln, NE, Joseph (Brianna) Torres of Chandler, OK, Cody (Samantha) Davis of Lincoln, NE, and Britny Davis of Lincoln, NE; and her great-grandchildren: Nathan Torres, Easton Torres and Manuel Pulido of Millsap, TX, Bristol Torres and Shiloh Torres of Chandler, OK. She is also survived by her brother, Billy Franklin Wilks of Pea Ridge, AR; sisters: Glenda (Robert) Bolin of Western Grove, AR, Donna Bell of Rogers, AR, Cheryl Wilks of Garfield, AR; and sister-in-law, Judy Wilks of Pea Ridge, AR.

Mary Ann is preceded in death by her parents, Milburn and Virginia; stepfather, Floyd Roller; brothers: Richard, Roger, Ronnie, Jimmie, Randall and Butch Wilks; and her son-in-law, Patrick Torres.

Mary Ann was very much loved and will be greatly missed by James, her children, and grandchildren. Go fly with your angels and walk barefoot through the gardens of Heaven, Mary Ann/Mom/Nanny!

A visitation for Mary Ann will be held Thursday, January 23, 2025 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Lincoln Memorial Funeral Home, 6800 South 14th Street, Lincoln, Nebraska 68512. A funeral service will occur Friday, January 24, 2025 at 10:00 AM at Lincoln Memorial Funeral Home, 6800 S. 14th Street, Lincoln, Nebraska 68512.