Mary Howard of Barada Nebraska passed away on April 6, 2016 at the Falls City Nursing and Rehab Home. She was born to Ben and Sophia (Parchen) Kirkendall on Nov 30, 1925 near Barada.

She was married to Junior Earl Howard on Dec 24, 1943 and they were later divorced.

She moved to Barada to run a grocery and feed store on August 29, 1965 after her oldest son, Terry was killed in a tractor accident in 1964. With the help of her 4 children, they ran the grocery and feed store from 1965 until 2014. She lived in El Paso, Texas in 1944 and 45, and in Cutback, Montana in 1948 and 49. She was "Grandma" to everyone and she loved to be called Grandma by everyone.

Mary is a member of the United Methodist Church in Barada, Nebraska. She resided in Barada, proprietor of the "Howards Grocery" until her health moved her to the nursing home in 2013.

She is survived by her two sons, Jerry (Barbara) Howard of Barada; Bob (Sherri) Howard of Falls City, daughter-in-law Bonnie of Savanna Illinois, son-in law Les Gossman of Stella Nebraska; brother Dean Kirkendall of Falls City and sister-in law Donna Kirkendall of Falls City.

She is survived by her 11 Grandchildren; Todd (Laura) Howard of Thompson Illinois, Benjamin (Krystal) Howard of Barada, Terry ( Sara) Howard of Falls City, Heather (Ryan) Picolotti of Sycamore, Illinois, Jamie Howard of Gretna, David (Becky) Gossman of Falls City, Jessica Snethen of Falls City, Jon Gossman of Kansas City, Ashley (Kody) Salsman of Lincoln, Daniel (Tara) Gossman of Johnson, Jenna (Ryan) Schultz of Tecumseh, and 4 Step Grandchildren; Landen (Andrea) Koopman of Lincoln Nebraska, Dustin (Dilniya) Koopman of Kansas City, Karen (Tom) Ehlers of MtCarroll Illinois and Kristine (Bob) Kallemeyn of Thompson Illinois. 

20 Great Grandchildren; Morgan, Darcy, Payton, Anna, Cole, Eryn, Preston, Dayton, Levi, Aksel, Noah, Tessa, Austin, Samual, Owen, Janie, Conner, Eliot, Garrett,  and Henry.

9 Step Great Grandchildren; Cameron, Contessa, Haley, Josie, Andrew, Allison, Beckett, Addisyn, and Dahlia.  

She was proceeded in death by her parents, son Terry in 1964 and Rick in 2013, 2 daughters, Robin in 2015 and infant Nancy in 1946.

Her funeral will be held on Monday, April 11, 2016 at 10:30 AM at Dorr and Clark Funeral Home with Reverend Jerry Yount officiating. Interment will be in Prairie Union Cemetery.

The family will receive friends on Sunday from 6-7:00 PM at Dorr and Clark Funeral Home.