Mary B. Wiltz, 95, of Johnson, NE, formerly of Corning, KS, died late Wednesday evening, April 16, 2008, at the Nemaha County Hospital in Auburn, NE.

She was born south of Kelly, KS, on December 3, 1912, the daughter of Joseph and Agnes Wessel Rethman. She attended St. Bede’s School in Kelly through the 8th grade.

Mary married Andrew W. Wiltz on October 10, 1934 in Corning, KS. The couple celebrated 58 years of marriage before Andrew’s death on March 27, 1993. In July of 2004, she moved to Johnson, NE to be close to her daughter.

Mary was a homemaker and in 1959 she went to work for St. Patrick’s School in Corning as cook for 11 years. She was a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Corning, and the Altar Society at the church, and served on the Corning Library Board. Mary was an avid flower gardener and seamstress; she enjoyed playing cards and crocheting.

Survivors include two sons, Jerry Wiltz of Sedalia, MO, and Marlin Wiltz of Silver Lake, KS; three daughters, Janice Alexander of Johnson, NE, Mary Ann Fisher of Ashville, NC and Yvonne Kolomechuk of Waynesville, NC; a brother, Benedict “Doc” Rethman of Corning; 25 grandchildren; 42 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband Andrew; her son Melvin; son-in-law Bob Alexander; grandson Don Fisher; and siblings, Henry, Edwin, Bernard, and Joseph Rethman, Elizabeth Walters, Anne Baker, and Agnes Hawkins.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 AM Saturday at St. Patrick’s Church in Corning. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Rosaries will be prayed at 2 & 7 PM Friday at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca.