Mary P. (Walsh) Cornelius

 Mary P. (Walsh) Cornelius, 89, of Martinsburg, NE, passed away on Tuesday, August 6, 2024 at Holy Spirit Retirement Home in Sioux City. A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, August 12, 2024 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Ponca. Father Owen Korte, officiating. Visitation with the family present will be Sunday evening from 5-7 p.m. with a vigil service and rosary beginning at 7:00 p.m. at the church. Mohr Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be directed to www.meyerbroschapels.com.

 Mary was born on March 30, 1935 in Omaha, Nebraska, to Dr. Louis Cyril and Ann (Campbell) Walsh. She grew up in Omaha, and on July 23, 1955 she married Keith L. Cornelius, Sr. in Omaha. The pair celebrated 50 years of marriage, and Keith preceded Mary in death in 2006. Mary lived in a few different cities, but her main residences included Omaha, Moville, and the Martinsburg area. She held various jobs throughout the years, but her most important role was that of homemaker.

 Throughout the years, Mary was a member of Immaculate Conception Church during her years living in Moville, and later was a member of St. Joseph Church in Ponca. She taught catechism and held positions within the churches and was most recently a member of the Legion of Mary.

 Mary’s hobbies included painting, fishing, gardening, swimming, and playing pool with her husband, Keith. She was an animal lover to her core and raised fish in her aquarium as one of her many hobbies. She also loved spending time with her family. Her spiritual life and devotion to Mary were one of the most important aspects of her life. She enjoyed making rosaries as a hobby, as well.

 Mary is survived by her children: Keith Cornelius, Jr. (Laura), Christine “Tina” Sachau (Kent), Kerri Stallbaum (Lynn), Julie Leekley (Joe), and Dr. Carol Millage (James); son-in-law, Jeffrey “Jeff” Driscoll; 19 grandchildren; 41 great-grandchildren; a brother, Thomas P. “Tom” Walsh, PhD; and several nieces and nephews.

 She was preceded in death by her husband, Keith; daughter, Amy Driscoll; siblings: Jim Walsh, Jack Walsh, Ann Svoboda, Gerald Walsh, and William Walsh; siblings-in-law: Calvin Cornelius and his wife Eleanor, and Kermit Cornelius and his wife Virginia; and several nieces and nephews.