Mary Eileen Whalen, 91, of Greeley, Nebraska, died Tuesday, July 29, 2014, at Howard County Medical Center, in St. Paul, NE with her loving family at her side. Mass of the Christian Burial will be Saturday, August 2, 2014, at 2:00 p.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, in Greeley, NE. The Rev. Matthew J. Koperski will be the celebrant. Burial will be in Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery in Greeley, NE. Visitation will be Friday, August 1, 2014, from 4 7 p.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church with a Catholic Daughters rosary at 4:00 p.m. and a parish rosary at 7:00 p.m. Curran Funeral Chapel is assisting the family. Eileen was born May 10, 1923, at Greeley, Nebraska. She was the daughter of Edward and Mary (Barry) Ryan. Survivors of the immediate family include her three sons, Tom Whalen of Greeley, NE Richard Whalen of Lincoln, NE Joe Whalen of Lexington, KY Three daughters and two sons-in-law, Kathy Warner of Ord, NE Mary and Tom Harris of Duncan, NE Jeannie and Russ Thede of Pilger, NE Others left to cherish her memory include her 12 grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren. Eileen grew up in Greeley, graduating from Sacred Heart High School in 1943. She married her sweetheart and best friend Louis A. Whalen on August 11, 1945, in Greeley, while Louie was on leave from duty with the U.S. Army. They moved to Joplin, MO, living there until 1947. They returned home to Greeley where they farmed and raised livestock along with six children. The family moved into Greeley in 1968 in the old Zuroski house then moved to Kerry Kourt in 2007. Eileen loved being a mother, caring for her family, and watching her grandchildren and great grandchildren grow. She loved the out of doors, farm life, gardening both vegetable and flowers and was an avid reader. She was a prayerful woman, keeping God close in her daily activities and trusting him in all things. She was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, its Altar Society, Catholic Daughters, and American Legion Auxiliary. Memorials are suggested to the familys choice. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Louie Whalen and a brother, Joe Ryan. Online condolences may be given and video tribute viewed at www.curranfuneralchapel.com under Eileens obituary.