Mary Hannah Melton Kerr was born on December 6, 1932 on the farm located near Valentine, NE. She joined her older siblings Chester, Harry, and Doris. She grew up on the family farm and attended grade school at the Ward Country school. As a child she enjoyed most school subjects and excelled at memorizing and reciting poems. She liked being outdoors and exploring the canyons with childhood friends. Mary attended Valentine High School before marrying her childhood friend, Willie Kerr. They were blessed with two daughters Kathy and Peggy.

With an incredibly strong work ethic, Mary held several jobs throughout her life. From a young age she did farm chores and shocked grain during the summer harvest. When her brother Harry joined the Air Force, Mary took over milking cows with her father. In High School, she worked at Farber’s Bakery and the IGA Grocery Store. Once her daughters Kathy and Peggy were old enough to attend grade school Mary returned to High School to continue her own education. While raising children and running a home Mary graduated in the top 10 of her class & received her High School diploma in 1959. After graduation, she was hired on as the Valentine High School Secretary. For 20 years she was the Secretary before retiring and moving on to more adventures, like watching grandkids.

Mary and Willie moved back to the family farm in 1978. They milked cows and raised cattle. She grew large gardens and sold produce at the farmer’s market. She raised chickens, ducks, guineas, and cared for many animals. She was a wonderful cook and always made lots of pies of all kinds for the holidays. Her cheesecake was delicious.

Later on in life, Mary started working at the Cherry County Hospital. There she enjoyed the laughter and friendship of many coworkers. During her time with the hospital, she sat with babies, worked in Laundry, helped out in the Respiratory Therapy Department, and eventually worked in Medical Records. She was employed with the hospital for 20 years and retired again in 2017. One of the last and most important jobs Mary took on was caring for her great-grandchildren who kept her young and active.

Mary had a wide array of talents. She was an avid reader. Other hobbies included crocheting/knitting, painting, bead working, and writing. She knew how to decorate beautiful cakes, and could paint the cutest pumpkins. In her younger years, Mary even took flying lessons from Willie and earned her pilot’s license to take solo flights. At some point, Mary stopped flying thinking it wasn’t a good idea for her and Willie to both be flying planes with young children at home.

Mary was also a bowler and once received a 1st place metal at the NE Cornhusker Games in Lincoln. Once she was on 3 bowling leagues at one time. She volunteered at Centennial Hall Museum and spent many years helping with the historic building and thrift store. Mary was also a member of the Frontier Food Coop, doing the ordering & distribution. Politics did not interest Mary, but she spent many years working at the court house during election times counting the votes. For many years she served as Bailiff for the Cherry County Court. And when no longer employed at the hospital, Mary continued volunteering as a Pink Lady assisting with the Specialty Clinics.

Mary always attended her grandkids’ sports and various school activities. She spent a great deal of time caring for her grandkids, teaching them about farm life, patiently helping with homework, making crafts together, and playing cards & games. Most importantly she was always available to listen. Grandma Mary remained a strong figure in their lives and was always just a phone call away.

Mary is preceded in death by her parents Augusta and John Melton, husband William Kerr, siblings Chet, Harry, and Doris Camm, brother-in-law Jack, George, and Jerry Kerr, and sister-in-law June Faubion.

Survived by: Daughters Kathy & Ron Brown, Peggy & Lonie Snell, grand-daughters April, Abby & Brandon Subjeck, great grandchildren Hattie & Carter Subjeck, Sister-in-law JoAnn Kerr, nieces, nephews, and numerous cousins.

Throughout her life Mary made wonderful friends and treasured those friendships until the very end. At the age of 93, Mary acquired even more friends that provided regular visits and treated her like family. Despite the circumstance, she was blessed to have met the AseraCare Hospice staff and Pastor Caleb. Mary passed away on June 11, 2026 at her home surrounded by family and friends. She will be greatly missed and always remembered.

Graveside services will be held on Thursday, June 18, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. at Mount Hope Cemetery in Valentine. Per Mary's request, the casket will be closed and no public visitation will be held. 

Sandoz Chapel of the Pines is entrusted with service arrangements.