Mary Lynn Fowler

Mary Lynn (Carr) Fowler (April 18, 1949 – November 26, 2024) The world gained a guardian angel on November 26th, 2024, when Mary Lynn Fowler, age 75, passed away peacefully at Brookstone Gardens in Kearney, Nebraska. Mary Lynn was born in Sioux City, Iowa on April 18, 1949. She was adopted as an infant and raised in several locations in Nebraska and Minnesota before moving to Maywood, Nebraska to reside with her adoptive grandparents. Mary Lynn was baptized at the Maywood Christian Church, and her faith in God was strong throughout her life. Her adoptive Grandma Nellie provided her with a stable and kind parental figure. In addition to her Grandma Nellie, Mary Lynn found enduring support from a loving couple, Howard and Violet Hodson. Mary Lynn graduated from Maywood High School and attended McCook Community College. She married Lowell Schmidt on May 10,1968, and resided on farms near Stockville and Moorefield, Nebraska. Mary Lynn had a daughter, Polly, and two sons, Roger and Rex. Mary Lynn loved her children unconditionally. Mary Lynn found her birth family in 1977. Finding her birth family provided her with many answers and the loving siblings she had always longed for. Mary Lynn formed especially close bonds with her older sister and brother. Mary Lynn moved to Oregon in 1991 to be closer to her birth family. Mary Lynn had a passion for helping others and always had a special place in her heart for children in need. She transcended much of the adversity of her own childhood by helping countless children find their way. She was the founder of the WISE-Choice program for at-risk teenagers in Oregon. WISE-Choice was her pride and joy, and she helped teenage girls build their self-esteem and confidence amid extremely challenging circumstances in their lives. Mary Lynn found her soulmate, William “Bill” Fowler, and married him on her 50th birthday in 1999. Mary Lynn and Bill were inseparable and were perfect compliments to each other. She was known as “Grammy” to her grandchildren, and she took great pleasure in being a grandmother. She returned to Nebraska in 2004 to reside closer to her young grandchildren. Mary Lynn had a special love for her pets, especially her German Shepards, King and Raider. Mary Lynn loved collecting turtle figurines, gardening, watching Husker football with a red beer, having coffee with friends, thumbing through catalogs, watching Hallmark movies, playing the slots, and brightening a person’s day. Her smile radiated kindness and love, and she shared it generously with everyone. She was blessed to have many loving friends and family whom she cherished spending time with. She was preceded in death by her father, Arthur Bucy; mother, Mary Jane “Peggy” Jenkins; brother, Michael Flick; and sister, Star La Carlson. Left to cherish her memory are her husband, Bill Fowler of Kearney; daughter Polly (Mike) Rogers of Whittier, CA; sons, Roger (Jenea) Schmidt of Shawnee, KS and Rex (Lori) Schmidt of El Dorado Hills, CA; sister, Sandra Mallette; brothers, Robert Roth, John Flick and James Oviatt; grandchildren, Chad (Jenna), Zach (Tiani), Mackenzie, Avery, Jackson, Rhyan and Peri; and great grandchildren, Olivia and Jack; as well as nieces, nephews, in-laws, extended family and many friends. In true selfless fashion, Mary Lynn did not want a formal memorial service. Family will arrange a private celebration of life at a later date. Memorials are suggested to the Kearney/Buffalo County Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for Children Program at givewhereyoulive.net. O’Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral and Cremation Services is assisting the family. Condolences may be shared online at www.osrfh.com.

Mary Lynn Fowler

April 18, 1949 - November 26, 2024