Mary Ellen Vondra

Mary Ellen (Hufford) Vondra was born and raised in Omaha. She is the daughter of the late John and Gertrude Hufford. Mary wed her teenage sweetheart, Tom Vondra after graduating from Bishop Clarkson School of Nursing. Mary and Tom raised their family of five children in Omaha with faith and love. Mary worked as a pediatric nurse at Children’s Hospital where she eventually became the director in charge of nursing education. Mary was always involved in the church and her local community. She was even chosen as the Queen of the College World Series in 1961. While working as a nurse educator, Mary furthered her own knowledge by obtaining her master’s degree in health education from the University of Nebraska-Omaha. Always advocating for children’s causes, Mary worked to create and promote the “Never Shake a Baby” campaign. She even presented this safety information to representatives at the state capital. Together with her friends and advocates for children, Mary helped start the organization Ted E Bear Hollow (now part of the Collective for Hope organization). Mary even recruited her husband Tom to use his woodworking skills to help create tangible tools to assist children and families manage the heavy burden of grief. She received numerous awards for her tireless work and was deeply honored to have a room in the facility named after her in recognition of her dedication as a founder, facilitator, board member and past president. Mary’s passions were as broad as the Platte River. The original Sokol Camp cabin on the bank of the Platte was the site of many vacation and weekend adventures. Cousins would come join the Vondra family for fishing, toad catching, hayrack rides and exploring…all cherished family memories. Tom and Mary’s retirement dream became a reality when they remodeled the cabin into a wonderful home that continued to provide beautiful opportunities for family and friends to gather. No one was ever a “stranger” to Mary. She would quickly identify the special qualities of every person she met and then effortlessly acknowledge them on a connected and personal level. She would learn your favorite color, song, something you collected and personalize each interaction with a classic touch from her enormously generous heart. Mary loved to travel with her husband and family. The Colorado Rockies, specifically Estes Park, was a favorite retreat that she and Tom cherished. Today it continues to be a beloved vacation destination for the Vondra family, and even the chosen site for two recent marriage proposals in the Vondra family. The love that Tom and Mary felt and shared in this specific location lives on with their family. Mary was dedicated to her profession, the Catholic church and the causes that she advocated for…but above all Mary was a loving and devoted mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She felt every holiday, birthday, graduation or baptism deserved a special celebration and perfectly selected gifts. The blessings that Mary poured into her family during the special occasions and also in the everyday moments is what holds them all tightly connected forever. Mary spent many years teaching CCD classes about eternal life, heaven and beautiful reunions. These promises are what offer comfort and peace to all who will miss her dearly. Mary is preceded in death by her husband, Thomas. She is survived by her children, Lisa (Jay) Quinn, Christine (John) Anter, Thomas (Roxane) Vondra, Amy (Jon) Erickson, and Andrew (Shannon) Vondra; 12 grandchildren, Alissa (Brent) Fay, Nick (Abbey) Molek, Hannah Anter, Hailey (Dylan) Melanson, John Thomas Anter, Alex Vondra, Tyler Vondra, Tori Hurt, Nolan (Kira) Erickson, Gus Erickson, Cal Erickson, Chloe Vondra; and 3 great grandchildren, Bearon Fay, Hank Molek, and Stella Molek.

Mary Ellen Vondra

January 30, 1942 - March 31, 2026