MARILYN J. VONTZ
August 4, 1934 – September 26, 2023 Marilyn J. Vontz was born to James G. Wood and Roma E. Armstrong in Stuart, Nebraska, deep in the heart of Nebraska’s sandhills. The family moved several times looking for work during the Great Depression but lived the longest in Indianola, NE at a former POW Camp that housed workers from the Bureau of Reclamation. Marilyn was a 1953 graduate of Indianola High School.
After high school she married Larry Vontz and started her family of four children in southwestern Nebraska (McCook and Wilcox) before settling in Lincoln, NE in 1967 where she was a continuous member of St.
Theresa’s Parish.
After working and raising children, Marilyn was 45 when she decided to pursue a life-long dream of continuing her education to become a Registered Nurse. She worked as an RN for 4 ½ years at Bryan East before transitioning to nursing education at Bryan School of Nursing for 25 years until her retirement. Marilyn was loved by her students and often asked to speak at graduation ceremonies.
The epitome of a life-long learner, Marilyn held two master’s degrees and a Ph.D. in Adult Education. Her dissertation, “A Commitment to Curing and Caring: the History of Bryan Memorial Hospital School of Nursing, 1926-1994” was adapted and published as a book, “The First Seventy Years: Bryan Memorial Hospital School of Nursing.”
Marilyn loved her faith, family, and serving others. She especially loved spending time, praying, and forming relationships with the “Pink Sisters” of the Lincoln Diocese. In retirement, Marilyn served on various boards and committees that connected to her spiritual or professional life. Her most important role in retirement, however, was forging a deep connection with her non-verbal grandson Scott Kubes, a 20-year resident of the Ambassador Nursing Home. Although Marilyn spent the last two years of her life at High Plains Memory Care, she continued to receive the sacraments and through God’s grace remained, joyful, happy, and concerned about others. She lived her faith.
Marilyn cherished her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She also loved shoes, peanut-butter toast, going on cruises, her miniature schnauzers (Heidi, Rosie, and Mitzie), sesame seeds, collecting nurse figurines, too much blue eye shadow, vanilla ice cream, as well as watching Nebraska football, volleyball, and Royals baseball.
Preceded death by parents James and Roma Wood; brother James G. Wood; and, Larry, Marion, and Elda Vontz.
Survived by children Nancy Kubes (Mike), Dan Vontz (Julie), Tim Vontz (Kevin Heaney), and Tom Vontz (Dawn); grandchildren Chris Kubes (Gayel), Scott Kubes, Matt Kubes (Kat), Brittany Moffitt (Brad), Gabrielle Vontz, Victoria Vontz, Madeline Windsor (Austin), and Alex Vontz; greatgrandchildren Zoe Anderson; Oliver, Owen, Bennett, Beaux, and Bella Kubes; Maisyn and Baylor Moffitt; and dear friend Ella-Mae Kubes.
The family received friends on Thursday, September 28 from 5 pm to 7 pm at Butherus Maser and Love Funeral Home, 4040 A St in Lincoln with Rosary at 7:00 pm 2:00 pm Rite of Christian Burial St. Theresa’s Catholic Church Lincoln Internment St.
Catherine’s Cemetery in Indianola, NE at 1:00 pm on Sunday Memorials to Pink Sisters of Lincoln and Bryan School of Nursing Alumni Association.
