Steven and Maria were childhood sweethearts (1960/1961) at O’Neill St. Mary’s Academy High School and were expecting to get married in 1-3 years. However, Steven was fascinated by a Columban Father’s recruitment to the catholic priesthood in the Far East, where his Father’s youngest sister served as a Maryknoll religious sister and he attended the Columban Seminary for six years, waiting God’s firm call to the life.
Maria waited five years and assumed he was going to stay with the Columban, as he/she were in communications. Maria then married Eric Nelson of Saratoga, WY. They were not compatible with Maria’s catholic standards, so she was divorced and lived alone working as a staff insurance agent in Saratoga, WY for Sam Clark. When Sam was called to become Wyoming’s State Farm Director, his Saratoga agency was continued by Leonard Johnson whose wife Leslie was a dear friend of Maria. Maria also was a dear friend of Sally O’Brien, and unofficial stepmother of Seth Nelson and his sister Addie and his children. She then worked for a number of years with State Farm after moving to Las Vegas, NV. Finally, Steve’s sister-in-law told him that he was always asking her about Maria, and she was always asking her about Steve, and since they were both single, it was clear to her they both had unfinished business with each other, and they needed to deal with the issue. That was completed in 4-6 months, they were married in the catholic church in 12 months and enjoyed every day since, most recently being parishioner of St. Peter Catholic Church in Lincoln, NE where she will have her funeral service.
Maria is survived by her brother Gale Stevens of Boise, ID.
Mass of Christian Burial: 10:00 am Monday, September 29, 2025, St. Peter Catholic Church, 4500 Duxhall Drive. Interment will be in the Omaha National Cemetery by her husband’s grave at a later date.
Viewing one hour prior to service.
Memorials in lieu of flowers to St. Patrick’s/St. Vincent DuPaul Society