Mary Margaret Kreager

Mary Margaret Kreager (née Coudray), age 82, of La Vista, Nebraska, passed away peacefully on November 5, 2026, in Papillion, Nebraska, surrounded by her family.

Born October 24, 1944, in Sac City, Iowa, to Norman and Irene Coudray, Mary Margaret was the fourth of six children. She grew up in Poplar and Brule, Wisconsin, graduating from Northwestern High School in 1963 and from St. Luke’s Hospital School of Nursing in Duluth, Minnesota, in 1966. A lifelong learner, she later earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing, a master’s degree in psychology, and a second master’s degree in nursing.

While attending St. Luke’s, Mary met Richard J. Kreager (Lt. Col., USAF, Ret.), a Duluth native, on a blind date. They married on June 11, 1966, in Poplar, Wisconsin. Just two days after their wedding, Richard reported for Air Force training, separating the newlyweds for five months. They were separated again in 1968 and 1969 while Richard served in Vietnam.

Once reunited, Mary and Richard began building a life together that would take their family across the United States and Europe through numerous moves with the Air Force. Along the way, they shared the joys and survived the challenges of raising their three sons, Brian, Eric, and Aaron. Mary and Richard enjoyed nearly 50 years of marriage until his passing in 2015.

As a registered nurse, Mary devoted much of her life to caring for and teaching others. Her early nursing career took her to hospitals in Minnesota, Texas, Illinois, and Ohio, followed by Air Force bases in Spain and Germany, where she volunteered at pediatric clinics and served as a school nurse for the U.S. Department of Defense Education Activity. She returned to hospital nursing in Michigan and upstate New York and also shared her knowledge as a nursing and psychology instructor at community colleges and universities in Michigan, New York and Nebraska, before returning to school nursing with the Omaha Public Schools. Whether caring for patients, comforting a child, or teaching students, Mary gave generously of her knowledge, compassion, and herself, quietly making a difference in the lives of those she cared for and taught.

That same generosity and compassion shaped her friendships and family life. She gave freely of herself, loving those closest to her unconditionally and making a lasting difference in their lives. She enjoyed traveling with Richard, tracing her family roots through genealogy, and quilting. She also enjoyed creating special memories with her grandchildren and staying connected with her Delta Theta Chi sorority sisters. In recent years, she especially treasured getting to know her great-grandchildren. Although a cancer survivor who faced additional health challenges, Mary continued to pursue her many interests and truly lived a full life. Her kindness, wisdom, sense of humor, and quiet strength will live on in all who knew and loved her. She will be deeply missed.

Mary was preceded in death by her loving husband, Richard, parents Norman and Irene Coudray, and siblings Barbara Mitchell-Tutor and Michael Coudray. She is survived by her sons, Brian (Jennifer) of Duluth, Minnesota; Eric (Donna) of Prescott, Wisconsin; and Aaron of Omaha, Nebraska. She also leaves her grandchildren Jocelyn (Adam) Shykes, Lauren (Jack) Burt, Ethan, Delaney, Emma (Jakob) Kreager-Andersen, Jack, Braden, Gavin, and Ronan; and great-grandchildren Kyler, Sawyer, and Ellie. Also surviving are her siblings Bernice Anderson, David (Sandy) Coudray, and Diane Coudray, along with numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family and friends.

In lieu of flowers, consider a donation to the Nebraska Nurse Honor Guard or to a charity of your choice.

Arrangements pending at this time.