Mary Lou Labenz

Mary Lou Labenz, 90, of Albion, Nebraska, passed away on Thursday, April 23, 2026, at the Good Samaritan Society in Albion, NE

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, April 28, 2026, St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Albion, NE, with Rev. Matt Gutowski officiating. Burial will follow at the parish cemetery. Visitation will be from 5:00 -7:00 p.m. Monday at the church with a 7:00 p.m. wake service.

Levander Funeral Home of Albion, NE is in charge of arrangements.

Mary Lou Labenz was born on December 8, 1935, at her grandparents’ home northwest of Primrose, Nebraska, to Joseph and Leona Kraus. She later moved with her family northeast of Primrose, where she attended grade school at District #59. In the spring of 1950, she moved with her parents to a farm south of Albion, where she completed her education, graduating from the eighth grade at District #35 and later from Albion High School as part of the Class of 1953. Following graduation, Mary Lou worked as a bookkeeper at White Motor in Albion.

On August 2, 1955, she was united in marriage to Merlin J. Labenz at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Albion. Their marriage was blessed with five children: David, Michael, Susan, Debra, and Michelle.

Mary Lou was a devoted wife, mother, and dedicated partner on the family farm, where she worked alongside her husband until they moved into Albion in 1985. After relocating to town, she worked at Eggers Real Estate and later at the Dunes Motel, where she handled bookkeeping and worked at the front desk for multiple owners. She dedicated more than 30 years to her work at the motel before retiring in July 2014.

Family was the center of Mary Lou’s life. She especially cherished time spent with her children and grandchildren. She found joy in cooking, tending her flowers, and caring for her yard.

She is survived by four children: David (Ann) Labenz of Staples, Minnesota; Michael (Sandy) Labenz of Lincoln, Nebraska; Debra (Douglas) Morgan of Albion, Nebraska; and Michelle Scott of Annapolis, Maryland; her son-in-law, Wally Kendrick of Lincoln, Nebraska; six grandchildren: Kevin Labenz, Beth Labenz, Betsy (Justin) Niewohner, Bryce (Holly) Morgan, Tyler (Brooke) Scott, and Stephanie (Jon) Wheeler; four great-grandchildren: Julia and Emma Niewohner, Ivy Morgan and baby boy Scott; two step great-grandchildren: Harper Wheeler and Lila Mae Wheeler; her brother, Dan (Barbie) Kraus of Arizona; brother-in-law Clifford Ostrander of Grand Island, along with many other relatives and friends.

Mary Lou was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Merlin, in February 2017; her daughter, Susan Kendrick, in March 2022; and her sisters, Bette (Gene) Morehead, Monica Ostrander, and Laureen (Robert) Stelley.