Mary Ellen Schlegel

Mary Ellen Schlegel passed away on May 9, 2008.

She was born to Howard and Clara Handley on April 6, 1932, in New Lisbon, Ind.

Her parents moved to California, where she graduated from high school, then worked for the phone company. She then followed them to Burns, where she met and married Wes Schlegel, on April 30, 1953. Together they raised four sons and two daughters of their own, among a few other friends and relatives.

Mary quickly adapted to ranch life by raising a garden, sewing, canning and preparing a hearty meal for all. She was a lifetime member of the American Legion Auxiliary Post 195.

Not very many young girls grew up in Burns without having been taught 4-H sewing by Mary. A special handmade gift was always looked forward to at Christmas, by her family.

Mary took a lot of pride in being at as many of her kids' and grandkids' activities, whether it was at 4-H week, sports activities or rodeos. Most Sundays you could find her attending the Burns Baptist Church. In later years she enjoyed frequent trips to visit family and yearly trips with the Eagle County Seniors.

She is survived by two daughters: Janice (Lou) Price and Melinda (Steve) Hammer and four sons: Bill (Jill), Sumner (Karen), Rod (Jackie) and Randy (Sherri). They have given her 18 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. She is also survived by one brother, Russell Handley; three sisters, Merle Thomsen, Joan McCraken and Rose VanLeer; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Wesley Schlegel, her parents, three brothers and one sister.

A funeral service will be held in McCoy at 11 a.m. Wednesday, May 14, 2008, at the McCoy School Gymnasium. She will be laid to rest next to her husband at the McCoy cemetery.