Mary Katherine 'Kitty' Sramek

Tuesday, April 22, 2008

June 17, 1942 - April 20, 2008

BENKELMAN -- Mary Katherine "Kitty" Sramek died Sunday, April 20, 2008, at the Dundy County Hospital in Benkelman, Neb.

She was born June 17, 1942, in Marysville, Ohio, the daughter of Edward and Geneva (Delay) Fetty. She grew up in Ohio, and met her husband Jr. in Denver, Colo., where both were visiting others.

After many letters and a long distance relationship, she moved to the Sramek farm north of Trenton where she married Jr. Sramek in May of 1968. She became a convert to the Catholic Church and they raised eight kids on the farm.

They continued to farm and ranch but moved to Palisade, Neb., in 1984. She enjoyed raising horses, the farm life, visiting with people, scrap booking and photography, writing and drawing, and always loved to laugh.

She was proud of her Native American heritage. She and her husband, Jr., put on the Massacre Canyon Pow Wow for 20 years. They held the Pow Wows north of Trenton on the original site of the battle and enjoyed meeting many people from all over the U.S. that attended them. At one of the Pow Wows, there were 14 different tribes represented.

She was a member of the Palisade Volunteer Rural Fire Department for 17 years and even left her own surprise birthday party just as she arrived, when the whistle blew. Being able to help others was very important to her.

She lost her battle with cancer but is presently victoriously with her Lord and Savior in Heaven.

She has been met in heaven by her father, Edward Fetty; two brothers, Ernie and Robert Fetty; a grandson, Patrick Sheets; and a great-grandson, Andrew Sramek.

She is survived by her mother, Geneva Rutledge of Palisade; her husband, Henry Sramek Jr. of Palisade; her children, Robert Sramek and Kathy of Max, Neb., Mary Suda and Don of Palisade, Steve Sramek and Tracy North of Trenton, Neb., Ernie Sheets of Hayes Center, Neb., Jody Sramek and Jennie Sramek, both of Palisade, Lisa Suda and Colyn of McCook and Jr. Sramek and Nicky of Palisade; and niece, Debbie Kerchal and Rex of Wauneta, Neb.

She is also survived by 25 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Rosary will be 7:30 p.m., Thursday evening, at St. James Catholic Church in Trenton.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m., on Friday at St. James Catholic Church in Trenton with the Rev. Val Bartek officiating. Interment will be in the Palisade Cemetery.

Memorials may be given in her name and friends may call at Herrmann Funeral Home in Trenton from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Herrmann Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.