Mary Lou Noecker

Mary Lou Noecker, age 84 of Hartington, Nebraska died on Friday, May 3, 2019 surrounded by her family at the Avera Majestic Bluffs Hospice in Yankton, South Dakota, after being diagnosed with esophageal cancer in mid-February, 2019 Mass of Christian Burial will be on Wednesday, May 8, 2019, at 10:30 a.m. at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Hartington with the Rev. Owen Korte officiating.  Burial will be at Sts. Peter and Paul Cemetery in Bow Valley, Nebraska.  Visitation will be on Tuesday, at church, from 4:00 until 8:00 p.m. with a Vigil Service at 7:00 p.m.  Visitation will continue on Wednesday morning at church one hour before the Mass.  Arrangements are under the direction of the Wintz Funeral Home in Hartington. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Music Programs of Cedar Catholic High School, Holy Trinity Elementary School, or East and West Catholic Elementary. Pallbearers:  Ryan Koch, Grace Gaard, Michael Noecker, Ross Noecker, Jesse Noecker, Karly Wintz, Sarah Eymann, Trevor Hamilton and Madeline Noecker. Mary Lou was born on August 14, 1934, to John and Agnes (Handorf) Dickes in Fordyce, Nebraska.  Mary Lou grew up in Fordyce where she attended the Lammers Ranch Country School and graduated from Mount Marty High School in Yankton, SD.  Mary Lou married Loran Noecker June 1, 1954, at St. John the Baptist Church in Fordyce, NE. Mary Lou and Loran raised their family of 12 children on a farm south of Bow Valley, NE.  She enjoyed living on the farm where they had a huge garden, canned, and butchered as well as found time to attend her children’s and grandchildren’s activities and functions through the years. She and Loran moved into Hartington in 1998.  Her family, grandchildren and great-grandchildren were of primary importance in her life.  Mary Lou prioritized faith, education, music and how to live the Christian life. Mary Lou was a member of Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Bow Valley, and later Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Hartington.  Her love for music was passed on to her children who continue to participate in various music ministries.  Mary Lou was a member of the Catholic Daughters of America, Christian Mothers, and Perpetual Adoration.  She loved being a member of bowling teams and several card clubs in Hartington and Bow Valley. Mary Lou was a volunteer at Holy Trinity grade school as well as a constant supporter of the Hartington Senior Center. Mary Lou is survived by her 11 children and their spouses Rosalie (Roger) Koch, Hartington, NE; Kenneth (Leslie) Noecker, Omaha, NE; Ronald Noecker, Antigua, Guatemala; Donavon (Carla) Noecker, Hartington, NE; Duane (Kathy) Noecker, St. Paul, MN; David (Shelly) Noecker, Hartington, NE; Brian (Dawn) Noecker, Hartington, NE;  Mary Jean (Lyle) Klug, St. Helena, NE; JoAnne (Mike) Hamilton, Hartington, NE; Patrick (Christine Costello) Noecker, Brooklyn, NY; Christopher (Lisa) Noecker, Lincoln NE – 31 Grandchildren  and 17 Great Grandchildren and 1 Expected Great Grandchild in July; 2 sisters Sr. Rosaleen Dickes, OSB, Sacred Heart Monastery, Yankton SD, and Dolores Healy, Tujunga CA; sisters-in-law Bea Dickes and DelRae Dickes, Loraine and George Feilmeier, and Doris Noecker. She was preceded in death by her parents John and Agnes Dickes; her husband Loran on May 12, 2004, and son Kevin on June 28, 1978; 13 brothers and sisters.