Mary E. Devine, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Devine, was born on September 23, 1880, at Mount Carroll, Illinois, and passed away at her home in Farnam, Nebraska, Monday, March 28, 1955, at the age of 74 years, 6 months and 5 days from a heart attack. Her sudden death was a great shock to her family and friends. Mrs. Speck was a Gold Star Mother.

At the age of 3, she came with her parents to a homestead north of Eustis, Neb., and spent the rest of her life in the vicinity of Gothenburg and Farnam.

On August 12, 1903, she was united in marriage to Peter Speck of Farnam. Four sons and three daughters were born to this union. One son passed away at the age of fourteen months. The youngest son, Donald, gave his life for his country during World War II while serving in France. Her husband passed away April 8, 1937.

Mrs. Speck was a member of the Methodist church in Farnam, at the time of her death. She was a member of the Rebekah Lodge and the American Legion Auxiliary. The American Legion Auxiliary had memorial services for her.

She leaves to mourn her passing, her children; Mrs. Margaret Griffith, Mountain Home, Arkansas; Eugene Speck, Benkleman, Neb.; Mrs. Jessie Martin, Farnam, Neb.; Charles Speck, Gothenburg, and Mrs. Geneva Malick, Redmond, Oregon; 16 grandchildren and two great grandchildren; five brothers; Frank Devine, Clarence Devine and Albert Devine, all of Cozad; William Devine of Wiggins, Colo., and Roy Devine of Flagler, Colo.; also a host of other relatives and friends.

Funeral services were held at the Methodist church in Farnam, Thursday, March 31, 1955, at 2 p.m., Rev. B.H. Hart officiating with burial in the Farnam cemtery.

Members of the Rebekah Lodge attended the service in a body, and members of the Farnam Auxiliary of the American Legion conducted memorial rites at the grave. Mrs. Hugo Blomquist, Mr. and Mrs. Chas E. Pollard and Chas. Stovall sang “No Night There” and “Beyond The Sunset”, Mrs. Earl Edson accompanying them at the piano. Serving as pallbearers were: Hugo Blomquist, C.D. Clement, Burr Parker, E. B. Lewis, Harold Fischer and Ralph Parker. The Olesen Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

Source: The collection of Elizabeth Speck of Benkleman, Nebraska, January 2003