Mary Jean Egert

She was born Mary Eugenia VanDeVelde on December 29, 1925, at home on a farm near Hooppole, Illinois. Her parents were Bernard (Ben) and Emerentia (Emma Pakuer) VanDeVelde. Her early years were spent in the New Bedford, Hooppole and Walnut area. She graduated from Walnut High School in 1944. Mary Jean taught grades 1-8 at the Kedron one room schoolhouse. On August 27, 1946, she married the love of her life Wilbur Egert at St. Catherine’s Catholic Church in Prophetstown, Illinois and they spent the next 71 years on the family farm north of Atkinson. These years on the farm hold many happy memories.

Mary Jean loved to play numerous card games, bingo, and construct puzzles. She was a founding member of the “Jolly Neighbors Club” which met for over 67 years. In 2017, she moved to Boulder, Colorado with Wilbur to be closer to their children.

Mary Jean is proceeded in passing from this life by her husband of 71 years, Wilbur Egert; her parents Ben and Emma VanDeVelde; 5 brothers: Herbert, Aloysius (Al), Bernard, Clarence, and Lawrence; 2 sisters: Rosalie (Rose) Oberle Powers and Luella Dhamers. She is survived by her sister Joann (Judd) Doty; her children: Sandra (Bob) Searls Austin, TX and Dr. Terry (Rochelle) Egert Littleton, CO; 4 grandchildren: Stephanie (Scott) Cusack, Michael (Abigail) Searls, Brittni (Matt) Levering, Lindsey (Brandon) Phelan and step grandson George (Melissa) Pavlantos; and 9 great grandchildren: Carter, Hunter, Calvin, Avery, Rhylie, Toni, Max, Brody and Gianna.

Funeral mass was held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, July 15th at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, Atkinson. Burial followed at St. Mary’s Cemetery near Hooppole. Visitation was at the Vandemore Funeral Home, Atkinson from 5:00-7:00 p.m. Thursday, July 14th.

Contributions in lieu of flowers should be made to the Mary Jean Egert Memorial Fund. All donations will be given to benefit local charities.

We thank God for sharing her with us for so many years. Mary Jean will forever be in our hearts.