Mary Lynne Gydesen

Mary Lynne Gydesen, age 61, of Elwood, Nebraska, passed away on Saturday, September 24, 2022, at the Phelps Memorial Hospital, Holdrege, Nebraska. She was born February 9th, 1961, to Donald & Mary (Phillips) Gruber, in Barstow, California. Being an only child, she was included in every activity with her parents. She was the bullet lady when they went hunting for rabbits in the desert and had to pick up the shell casings from the rifle her dad shot. Also was his co- pilot when he flew his airplane. When he took up desert racing on his motorcycle, she was part of the pit crew with her mother. She was the one that had his cigarette waiting while her mother filled up the gas tank during the pit stop. In 1972, when Mary was 11 years old, the family moved from California to an acreage 4 miles east of Elwood and entered the 6th grade. Having a 5-party line for the phone and riding a school bus for the first time was a new experience. In high school, she was a cheerleader for a couple of years and was involved in sports. She would also have tent parties at her home for her group of friends and spend the night outside in a tent with electricity, music, and lots of food. After school she moved to Hastings, then Lexington and finally back to Elwood on Oakland Avenue in 1992, with her children, Sarah and Justin. Mary followed all the sports activities of Sarah and Justin and was even on the Booster Club. She was also on the Library Board. She had gone to work for her dad at Don’s Photos and worked there until 2003, when he passed away and the studio was closed. She was working at Sav-a-Little at Johnson Lake when Taylor and Jake came into the family with her and Kern. Mary then raised her second set of kids and started following all the sports activities again. She also worked at Mae Bees, Lexington Family Eyewear, Steak Master, and Aurora Coop. She was a lunch lady at Elwood Public Schools until 2020, when she had to quit due to her health. She was known by many names: Mary Lynne, Mary, Mare, Maria, Mom, Momma, Grandma, and Grandma 1. When she was young, she decided she wanted to be called Lynne, but she kept forgetting to answer to it when called, so soon went back to Mary Lynne. Her folks always called her Mare. Mary loved to play scrabble on her iPad, with lots of people, including her son in law, Aaron Brant. Sitting in her backyard watching birds was a favorite past time and she was always filling bird feeders and birdbaths. Even kept a water dish outside for Baylee, Clyde, and Jackson. But she always enjoyed music. In fact, she had a game with Justin and Sarah where she would text them a line from a song and they would text back the next line, continuing for several lines. Also listening to music in the kitchen with Taylor and Jake sitting on the kitchen counters. Proud Mary was one of everyone’s favorite. She is survived by her husband, Kern, children Sarah Kort of Hastings, Justin (Jess) Cannady of Seward, Taylor (Aaron) Brant of Smackover, Arkansas, and Jake Gydesen of Lincoln. Grandchildren Holly Wilcox of Lincoln, Cash Evans of Hastings, Aiden and Kaleb Cannady of Seward, and Isaiah Brant of Smackover, Arkansas, and her mother, Mary Gruber of Elwood. Along with her best friend, Baylee (her Dog) and two cats, Clyde and Jackson. She was preceded in death by her father, Don Gruber, grandparents, William G. Phillips, Howard and Ardus Halker, and in laws Harlan and Jackie Gydesen. There will be no viewing or visitation. Graveside services will be Friday, September 30, 2022, at 11 AM at Elwood Cemetery, Elwood, Nebraska with Kelly Gydesen, officiating. Elwood Funeral Home of Elwood, Nebraska is in charge of the arrangements.