Mary Katherine Walkowiak, 91, died Sunday, September 19, 2021, at home with her loved ones, in Lincoln, Nebraska. Mass of Christian burial will be Thursday, September 23, 2021, at 10:30 a.m., at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church. The Rev. Martin L. Egging will be the celebrant. Interment will be in the Grand Island City Cemetery. Public visitation will be Wednesday, September 22, 2021, from 4 – 6 p.m. at Curran Funeral Chapel with a private family vigil service at 6 p.m. The vigil service and funeral mass will be livestreamed on the Curran Funeral Chapel Facebook page. To respect the health of all, masks are required at both the visitation and funeral mass, with social distancing practices recommended. Memorials are suggested to Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church or Central Catholic Foundation in Grand Island, NE. Curran Funeral Chapel is assisting the family. Your thoughts and prayers may be given and video viewed at www.curranfuneralchapel.com under Mary's obituary. Mary was born January 6, 1930, in Greeley County, NE. The daughter of George F. & Etta E. (Berney) Schaub. She grew up and received her education in Greeley, graduating from Greeley Public School in 1946. She taught in rural schools for three years. She married David L. Walkowiak on June 28, 1949, at O'Conner, NE. They lived in Spalding, NE for seven years, moving to Grand Island in 1956. Mary devoted her early life to her husband and children. She was a homemaker until 1975 when she began working for Central Catholic High School as a Librarian. Those who knew her would not forget her friendly nature and motherly manner. In 1985 Mary and Dave moved to California. They returned to Grand Island and Mary worked at the Edith Abbott Memorial Library as a library assistant until her retirement in 1997. Dave died in February 2008. Mary enjoyed quilting, babysitting her grandchildren, gardening, cross-stitch, and reading. Most of all, she loved her family and instilled in them a strong sense of faith and love of God. Mary was a loving and devoted mother who treasured her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She will be dearly missed and forever in our hearts. She was a member of Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church and the Blessed Sacrament Quilting Ladies for over 20 years. She was also a member of the Catholic Daughters of America, Court Queen of Peace #2227. Mary was a loving and devoted mother who treasured her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She will be dearly missed and forever in our hearts. Survivors of the immediate family include four sons and daughters-in-law, David and Diane Walkowiak of Omaha, John and Joy of Grand Island, Robert and Deb of Grand Island, and Paul and Cindy of Grand Island; five daughters and three sons-in-law, Kathleen Clark of Malvern, Iowa, Rebecca Walkowiak of Lincoln, Joan and Rob Unruh of Weber, Kansas, Janice and Jack Luth of Grand Island, and Susan and Jim Dieckgrafe of Cook; two sisters-in-law, Norma Vander May and Marilyn Walkowiak; 19 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren. Her parents; husband, Dave; brothers, James and Thomas Schaub; sister, Charlotte Kusy and a son-in-law, Rickie E. Clark, preceded her in death. Visitation Curran Funeral Chapel Wednesday, September 22, 2021 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM 3005 South Locust Street Grand Island, Nebraska 68801

Vigil service at 6:00 p.m. Masks are required at the visitation, vigil, and funeral mass. Social distancing is recommended and appreciated.

Vigil Service Curran Funeral Chapel Wednesday, September 22, 2021 6:00 PM 3005 South Locust Street Grand Island, Nebraska 68801

Masks are required at the visitation, vigil, and funeral mass. Social distancing is recommended and appreciated.

Mass of Christian Burial Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church Thursday, September 23, 2021 10:30 AM 518 West State Street Grand Island, Nebraska 68801

Masks are required at the visitation, vigil, and funeral mass. Social distancing is recommended and appreciated.