Mary Lee (Stock) Weinert, 98, passed away on December 18, 2022 in Overland Park, Kansas. She was born on March 26, 1924, North of Verdon, Nebraska to Walter J. and Anna Marie (Schneider) Stock. She graduated from Verdon High School with the class of 1939 and attended Peru State College to earn a teaching certificate to enable her to teach in rural schools. She married Howard C. Weinert on May 5, 1945.
Mary Lee spent most of her life 3 miles North East of Falls City. For many years she and her husband, Howard, farmed on the Weinert farm. She managed the farm after her husband’s death on July 28, 1984 and the farm continues in the family. She taught in the rural elementary schools in Richardson County, NE. Mary Lee returned to Peru State where she earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Education so she could teach in the Falls City School District. She then began teaching second grade at North School until her retirement. Mary Lee was very devoted to her students and to her profession and spent over 30 years of teaching. Many of her former students remember her as their favorite teacher because she made learning relevant and fun. She was a 4-H leader, taught Sunday school and was a Youth Fellowship leader in the Evangelical United Brethren Church in Falls City. Mary Lee enjoyed quilting, cooking for her family, tending to her yard and garden and making cookies for her church groups.
Howard and Mary Lee have two daughters, Jean Marie (John) Metzger of Overland Park, Kansas and Linda Kay (John) Fisher-Perue of Saratoga, Wyoming. She is survived by her daughters and their families, including eight grandchildren, David (Tami) Metzger, Caroline (Jon) Engelman, Jim Fisher, Joe (Lindsey) Fisher, Obie (Heather) Perue, Christa Perue, Mary (Burton) Hibdon and Josiah Perue. Mary Lee was also blessed with seven great-grandchildren, Jamie, Lindsey and Braden Metzger, David Hibdon, and Liam, Samson and Shelley Perue. Mary Lee’s family and friends were most loved by her and she will always be remembered for her fairness, kindness and helpfulness to everyone who knew her.
She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, sister, Ruth Schulenberg, an uncle, William Schneider and other relatives.
Mary Lee requested no formal funeral. An informal gathering of family and friends to share memories and celebrate the life of Mary Lee and register condolences will be held at a later announced date in a local park with her favorite light picnic meal including hot dogs.
In lieu of flowers, she asked that everyone spend time with loved ones, express appreciation to an educator, and make a donation to a favorite charity.
