Mary Claire (Hesh) Ourecky (Mar 1, 1958 – April 6, 2021)

Mary passed peacefully after a seven-year battle with cancer.  She was surrounded by family and loved ones. Mary was born in Lincoln, Nebraska to Leon F. and Matilda J. (Klasek) Hesh.  She resided in Wilber, Nebraska, attended school and graduated from Wilber High School in 1976. Mary married her high school sweetheart, Dale Ourecky, in 1977. She and Dale made their forever home on their farm west of Wilber. Mary graduated from Reece and Sybil School of Cosmetology, Lincoln, Nebraska in 1977.  After working as a cosmetologist at Miller and Paine, Mary joined Karen's Salon in Wilber, where she worked for over 20 years.  Mary continued her career in Lincoln, where she ran the Bernina store.  Mary then went to work for Hancock Fabrics, as an educator and trainer.  In 2008 Mary took a position with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, as the Visitor Services Supervisor for the International Quilt Museum.  Mary is survived by husband, Dale; daughters Jamie (Gabe) Sand, Wilber, Elizabeth (Guy) Stinnett, Choctaw, Oklahoma and son Aron (Elizabeth) Ourecky, Wilber.  Grandchildren: Easton, Jase and Bryson Sand, Evelyn and Krislin Ourecky. Sisters Tess (Bob) O'Connell, Yorkville, California, Susie (Tom) Stokebrand, Phoenix, Arizona and brother Steve Hesh, Berkley, California.  Mary is also survived by her sisters-in-law, Judy (Larry) Kubicek, Gretna and Betty Ourecky, Lincoln and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Leon and Matilda Hesh and nephew, Green Hesh.  Mary was an accomplished seamstress.  She started her business, "In Stitches", a sewing and alterations business, several years ago.  Her "Minky" blankets and T-shirt quilts have put smiles on faces of many all across the country. Mary Ourecky, or Mary O, as she was commonly referred to, was kind, caring, and had a positive outlook on life.  She was always willing to lend a helping hand.  She loved her children and grandchildren and enjoyed making them special treats; unique Halloween costumes, birthday flags and shirts were among the many fun items she graced the kids with.  Mary never met a stranger.  She will leave a void in the lives of many. Mary made the world a better place, and brought sunshine wherever she went.   Celebration of life will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 10, at the United Methodist Church, Wilber, NE. The service  will be livestreamed via the Kuncl Funeral Home website (for access click on the Facebook icon at the very bottom of our homepage at the service scheduled start time). Visitation will be from 5 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. on Friday, April 9 at Kuncl Funeral Home in Wilber. Memorials have been designated to the Mary Ourecky Family and will be divided between the following causes: Dvoracek Memorial Library, Wilber, to further the awareness of quilting. The Volunteer Program at the International Quilt Museum, Lincoln.  A program to supply Minky Blankets and Pillow Cases to the infusion patients at the Fred And Pamela Buffett Cancer Center at UNMC in Omaha.  Mary had a special connection to each of these and it was her wish to support them.  Arrangements have been entrusted to Kuncl Funeral Home in Wilber.