Mary Louise Kathman

Hastings resident Mary Louise Kathman, 97, passed away Sunday, August 10, 2025, at Mary Lanning Healthcare, Hastings, NE.

Rosary will be at 6 p.m. Wednesday, August 13, at Butler Volland Chapel. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, August 14, St. Cecilia Catholic Church in Hastings with Father Craig Clinch officiating. Burial will be at Parkview Cemetery in Hastings. Visitation will be 1-6 p.m. with the family present 5-6 p.m. Wednesday, August 13, at the funeral home, and one hour before the service at the church. Memorials may be given to St. Cecilia Catholic Church. The service will be live-streamed on Livingston Butler Volland Funeral Home’s website. To view the service, go to Mary’s obituary and click the play button shown toward the bottom of the page.

Mary was born on March 1, 1928, in Bladen, NE, to Herman and Mollie (Ross) Klatt. She grew up in the depression years attending one room schools and graduated from Bladen High School in 1946. Mary began “practice” teaching beginning in April 1946 at Harmony School. She received her bachelor’s degree from Kearney State College and her master’s degree from Chadron State College preparing for a lifelong career in education. Mary taught in various one room schools until 1954.

Mary dedicated 47 years to teaching in the Hastings Public Schools at Longfellow Elementary, where she touched the lives of countless students and colleagues with her warmth, patience, and commitment to learning. She retired in 1993.

On July 20, 1957, Mary married Edward Kathman at St. Cecilia Catholic Church, a loving union that endured until Edward's passing on January 5, 2008. Mary and Edward adopted James and Joseph in 1965. She remained a devoted member of St. Cecilia Catholic Church throughout her life.

Mary will be remembered for her deep faith, dedication to education, and her kind, steady presence in the lives of all who knew her.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Edward Kathman; brother, Donald Klatt; sister, Helen Kathman; and half-brother, Bernard Conkling.

SURVIVORS:
Adopted Sons & Spouse: 
    James Kathman
    Joseph & Victoria Kathman
Grandchildren: 
    Danielle Glines & Christopher Weigel
    Heather Glines
    Kayla & Brandon Taylor
Great-Grandchildren: 
    Braden Weigel
    Charlotte Taylor
    Amelia Taylor