Mary Jane Bernt, 81, of Columbus, Nebraska, died Wednesday, July 9, 2025, at Brookestone Acres in Columbus.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, July 18, at 11:00 AM at Gass Haney Funeral Home with Rev. Adam Lassen officiating. Visitation will be on Thursday, from 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM and continue Friday, from 10:00 AM until service time, all at the funeral home. Private family interment will be held at a later date at Saint Andrews Catholic Cemetery #2, rural Osceola, Nebraska.

Mary Jane was born, in Columbus, on July 23rd, 1943, to Pete and Anna (Backman) Dischner. After graduating from Saint Bonaventure Catholic School in 1961, she married Albin Bernt on November 25th, 1961. She lived her life in Columbus where she worked at several department stores, including Sears and Tempo, did phone sales, worked yearly on the City Directory, and was a homemaker. To this union, Albin and Mary Jane had three daughters.

Mary Jane enjoyed spending lots of time reading. She also enjoyed playing cards and was in several pinnacle card clubs over the years. She loved to travel and especially loved the mountains, and spending time visiting with friends and family. Although Albin and Mary Jane were no longer married, they remained very close, and in their hearts and minds were still very much in love. Albin entered the VA home in Norfolk three years ago.

Mary Jane is survived by her daughters, Sheryl (Tom) Drawl, of Lee's Summit, MO, Diane Cox (fiancé Michael Capito), of Osceola, NE, and Janelle (Paul) Schemek, of Tarnov, NE.; ten grandkids, Jillian Bennet, Alicia Eckholt, Lauren White, Tommy, Jordan, and Taylor Drawl, Justin Cox, Ashley, Alex, and Alivia Schemek; eleven great-grandchildren, Piper, Reid, Ellie, Avery, Jaide, Emma-Lynn, Lylah, Maddox, Cohen, Ariana, and Kairi; sister Betty Placzek, sister-in law Donna Dischner, many nieces and nephews, and special friend Pat Roelle.

Mary Jane was preceded in death by her parents, brothers Larry and Carroll, and brother-in law Jack Placzek.