Mary Ellen Vodehnal, 97, of Clarkson, Nebraska, died Sunday, August 25, 2024, at the Clarkson Community Center.

The family will greet friends on Thursday, August 29, from 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM at the Miller Funeral Home, followed by a private family interment in Clarkson National Cemetery.

Mary Ellen was born October 9, 1926, on a farm northeast of Schuyler, Nebraska, the eldest of 12 children, to Anton and Olga (Mastny) Krula.  She attended School District #9 grade school and graduated from Schuyler High School.  After graduation, Mary Ellen went to work at the Defense Plant in Lincoln for the summer of 1943.  That fall, she began teaching at District #28, and taught for six years in Colfax & Platte County schools.

Mary Ellen was united in marriage to Milo Vodehnal on August 25, 1949, and lived on a farm south of Clarkson.  To this union, two children were born, Ruth Doris and Alden Milo.  Mary Ellen and Milo moved to Clarkson in 1986.  She was a self-taught cake decorator, making several birthday cakes, wedding cakes, and anniversary cakes, as well as cakes for other occasions.  She enjoyed embroidering, crocheting and making quilts for everyone in her family. She loved all her five grandsons very much, as well as her great grandchildren.

Mary Ellen is survived by:
Daughter – Ruth Waters of Clarkson, NE
Son – Alden (Linda) Vodehnal of Clarkson, NE
Grandchildren – Cameron (Dawn) Vodehnal, Nick (Breanna Ruwe) Vodehnal, Zachary (Dawn) Vodehnal, Ryan (Natalie) Waters, and Tyson (Sara Pfeiffer) Vodehnal
Great-Grandchildren – Alicia Vodehnal, Kiara, Makenize, and Hannah Vodehnal, Milo Waters, Jonas Waters, Broady and Cole Vodehnal, Lukas Vodehnal, Haley Bovee, Hadley Pfeiffer, Bailey and MaKenize Rio
Brothers – Reynold Krula, Roy Dean (Verla) Krula, and Edwin (Deborah) Krula
Sisters – Alveda (Frank) Garey, Donna Taylor, Maxine (John) Green, and Betty White

Mary Ellen was preceded in death by:
Parents – Anton and Olga Krula
Husband – Milo Vodehnal
Brothers – Albin (Joan) Krula, and Infants Longin and Arnold Krula
Sister – Cecelia (Frank) Machacek
Brother-in-law – Charles Taylor
Sister-in-law – Mildred Krula