Mary Kathryn Wellman (nee Bristol) of Waco, passed away in her sleep at home on Wednesday, March 26, 2025.
Mary was born in York on Jan. 7, 1948, to Rupert and Evelyn Bristol (nee Stuhr), and was baptized and confirmed at Zion Lutheran Thayer. She was a 1966 graduate of Waco High School and married her high school classmate Ivan Wellman over their winter break from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in December 1968. She received her degree in music education in 1969.
After graduation, she taught lower elementary music for Crete Pubic Schools for one year, then taught K-12 vocal music for Exeter Public Schools from 1970-72 before taking a break to raise her family. She returned to teach K-12 vocal and instrumental music at Exeter in 1980 and finished her teaching career as the band instructor at Centennial Public School from 1994-2006. After retiring from teaching, she worked at the Nebraska State Department of Corrections for 10 years.
Mary served as a church organist for more than 60 years, starting while in grade school at Zion Lutheran Thayer, and concluding at St. John’s Waco, where she was a member her entire adult life. She was also the choir director at St. John’s and played organ for numerous weddings and funerals, both for her congregation and throughout the community.
Mary is survived by her husband of 56 years, Ivan; her children, Jeff (Heather) Wellman of Waco, and daughter Cathie (Joel) Brady of Barrington, Illinois; grandchildren, Andrew and Jack Wellman, and Ivan and Willa Brady; sisters, Susan (Allan) Marquart of Mason City and Judy (Mark) Schernikau of Oakland; sisters-in-law, Jane Bunnett and Mary Ann Bristol, both of York; brothers- and sisters-in-law, Ross and Judeen Rikli of Murdock and Kermit and Kathleen Brashear of Omaha; and 16 nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Rupert and Evelyn; father- and mother-in-law, Marvin and Elsie Wellman; brother, Michael Bristol; and brothers-in-law, William Bunnett and Leonard Johnsen.
A memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 5, at St. John’s Lutheran Church, south of Waco. Private inurnment will be held in St. John’s Lutheran Cemetery. Cremation, no viewing or visitation. In lieu of flowers and plants, memorial contributions are suggested to Lutheran Family Services or Orphan Grain Train.
Arrangements by Metz Mortuary in York.
