Mary Lou Sherrill

Mary Lou Vance Sherrill was born on August 20, 1933, at home on the family farm near Scotia, Nebraska. Mary was one of six children born to Murl and Eva (Gebauer) Vance. Living on the farm during the Great Depression was difficult at times, but her family was always close and loving.

Mary loved attending school. Her country school only went through the 8th grade, so she later attended another country school that went through the 10th grade. With Mary wanting to finish high school, the family arranged for her to live in Scotia with a local doctor and his family while she attended high school there. Mary graduated from Scotia High School as valedictorian in 1951. She shared the honor with two other young ladies, as they all had identical grade point averages.

Mary set her sights on becoming a nurse while she was still in high school. That dream became a reality when her sister Donna and brother-in-law Clifford Pedersen, who farmed near Dannevirke Nebraska, helped provide the tuition needed for nursing school. Mary graduated as a registered nurse from the St. Francis School of Nursing in Grand Island in 1954. She later earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Doane College in 1985.

Mary’s nursing career spanned 58 years caring for others. She spent 51 years serving patients and families at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Lincoln and retired in 2012 at the age of 79. She then volunteered at the Hospital for another 8 years.

Mary met the love of her life, Don Sherrill in Grand Island and the two were married in 1955. When Don began pursuing his doctorate at the University of Nebraska, the couple moved to Lincoln where they made their home and raised four children: Terry, Kevin, Mike, and Kathy.

Mary was active in church, civic, and nursing-related organizations. She loved caring for her family and enjoyed visiting with friends and co-workers. Christmas was her favorite holiday, and she especially enjoyed finding practical gifts for those she loved.

Those left to cherish her memory are her children: Terry (Julie) Sherrill, Kevin (Jenny) Sherrill, Mike and significant other (Sandy Ellis), and Kathy (Steve) Huneke; her 12 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great-grandchild, along with many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband Don, her parents, her brothers and sisters, and three beloved nephews.

Viewing: Thursday March 19th, 2026, at 5:00-7:00 P.M

Lincoln Memorial Funeral Home 6800 S 14th St, Lincoln, NE 68512

Funeral Service: Friday March 20th, 2026, at 1:00 P.M

Saint Marks Methodist Church: 8550 Pioneers Blvd, Lincoln, NE 68520

Graveside Service:

Friday March 20th, 2026, at 2:30 P.M Lincoln Memorial Funeral Home & Cemetery: 6800 S 14th St, Lincoln, NE 68512