Mary Dunlap

Mary Agnes Foster (Turner) (Thewlis) Dunlap

Mary Agnes Foster (Turner) (Thewlis) Dunlap entered into eternal rest with the Lord on Feb. 22, 2000, at Ponderosa Villa in Crawford, Neb. She was born June 28, 1905 at her parents home where she was also baptized in Ramsey Township, Lanark County, Ontario, Canada. Her parents were John H. and Agnes (McIlraith) Turner.

Mary attended Appleton S.S. No. 11 public school in Appleton, Ontario, and graduated from Almonte High School in 1921. She then attended nursing school, graduating from Ottawa Civic Hospital in 1924, and matriculated from McGill University in Montreal, Quebec, in 1928 with a Bachelor's Degree in Nursing. Following her graduation, Mary was a Nursing Instructress at the University of Alberta Hospital in Edmonton, Alberta, becoming Nursing Instructress at Lamont Hospital in Lamont, Alberta, Canada.

On September 19, 1936, Mary married John H. Thewlis. To this union were born two children, Anne and Ina. John died on July 11, 1941. In August, 1944 Mary and her two children moved to Sioux County, Nebraska, arriving in Lusk, Wyoming, on the "Galloping Goose." Mary was then married to Leo Dunlap on August 24, 1944. They made their home on a ranch north of Harrison, Neb., known now as the Joe Falkenburg South Ranch. After her marriage, Mary kept herself busy with nursing, as she served as the Sioux County School nurse, which included implementing the annual health physicals, served as a rodeo nurse, 4-H camp nurse, as well as doing relief nursing in Lusk, Edgemont, S.D., and Crawford, Neb. She also served as the Sioux County Ag Hall Superintendent for at least 15 years, was a 4-H leader, and taught first aid classes. She was a member of the United Methodist Church.

In 1947 Mary became a naturalized citizen of the United States of America. She was an American National Red Cross Nurse in 1950.

In August 1948 Mary and Leo adopted two sons, Terry and Jerry Dunlap. In May 1974 Mary and Leo retired and moved to Crawford, Neb. Leo died on July 3, 1991. While living in Crawford, Mary remained active in the community. She was a volunteer at Ponderosa Villa, a volunteer with R.S.V.P., receiving a certificate for contributing over 2100 hours of service. She was a member of the Crawford Congregational Church, where she served as a member of the Diaconate, and flower lady, as well as secretary/treasurer for the women's circle, and helping with church fundraising activities. When her health deteriorated to the point that she was unable to practice nursing, she did private duty nursing, often sitting with people who were very ill or dying at the Crawford Hospital, Ponderosa Villa or the Niobrara County Hospital in Lusk, Wyo.

During her free time, Mary enjoyed knitting, art, needlework, crocheting, reading, cooking and music. She quilted baby quilts, and embroidered two quilts of the United States, one with the state birds, and one with the state flowers, and made an afghan for each member of her family. She was also afforded the opportunity to take a few trips to her homeland, Canada. Mary moved to Ponderosa Villa on Feb. 1, 1998.

Mary was a lifetime member of the Ottawa Civic Hospital Alumnae.

Mary is preceded in death by her parents, her two husbands, three brothers: Ross Turner, Cecil Turner, J. M. Turner; one sister, Anna Turner and two sons-in-law, Rolland Quintard and Keith Glaubius.

She leaves to mourn her daughters Anne (Thewlis) Quintard of Harrison, Neb., Ina Glaubius of Wisner, Neb.; sons Terry and wife Janet Dunlap of North Platte, Neb.; Jerry and Wife Lovilla Dunlap of Lovell, Ark.; 10 grandchildren: Monique (Bradshaw) Quintard, Rolisa Lewis, Mark Glaubius, Michael Glaubius, Marijean Peterson, Rebecca Dunlap-Morton, Rachel Dunlap, Allan Dunlap, Jennifer Dunlap, Luke Dunlap; 9 great-grandchildren; Etelka "Teli" Bradshaw, Tyler and Spencer Lewis, Zachary and Alexander Glaubius, Sophie Glaubius, Gabe Morton, Melissa Hotell, and Barry Western; two great-granddaughters, Laurel Rae Hotell and Emily Michelle Hotell; a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Funeral services were Feb. 26 at the Memorial United Methodist Church in Harrison, Neb., with the Reverend Neil Kloppenborg officiating. Burial will be in the Old Kirk Cemetery at Aliment, Ontario, Canada at a later date.

Memorials are established to the Crawford Ambulance Fund, or Ponderosa Villa in Crawford, Neb., or the Harrison Ambulance Fund or the Memorial United Methodist Church in Harrison. Memorials may be sent in care of Security Bank, P. O. Box 216, Harrison, NE 69346.

Chamberlain Chapel of Crawford, Neb., was in charge of arrangements.

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