Mary Margaret Ekstrand, the daughter of Raymond and Mary (Honnold) Stevens, was born August 18, 1930, at Newman Grove, Nebraska. She passed away on Friday, June 23, 2023, in Denver, CO.

Mary Margaret Stevens married Donald Lewis, on November 13, 1948. They had a small trucking business where Donald hauled lime and rock to customers around Stanton, Red Oak, and other nearby community residents. On October 9, 1967, Donald passed away. Mary then began working at the Stanton Café. She changed jobs to become a home health-aide in Montgomery County, and also worked part-time as a cook in a small gas station's restaurant located on Highway 34 in Red Oak. This is where she met owner, Harold Ekstrand, and they married on October 30, 1970. Margaret and Harold made their home in Stanton until Harold passed away on May 13, 1976. Mary then moved to Red Oak and later Norfolk, Nebraska. Her final move was to Greenwood Village, Colorado, where she lived with her daughter, Deborah and her husband Jerry.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents; husbands, Donald and Harold; and sister, Jane.

Mary is survived by her two daughters: Donna Burns of Hoskins, Nebraska, and Deborah (Jerry) Paul of Greenwood Village, Colorado; eight grandchildren: Laura Paul Cuffe, Michael Paul, Joe Forsythe, Jens Forsythe, Angie Houdek, Amiee Uecker, Tim Forsythe, and Kayla Burns; fourteen great-grandchildren, three great-great-grandchildren; and brothers: Tom Stevens of Fargo, North Dakota, and Jerry Stevens of Boone, Iowa; other relatives and friends.

May God bless her memory and give strength to those who mourn.

Private Burial will be in Mamre Cemetery, Stanton, Iowa.
A Celebration of Life Service will take place in the fall of 2023.

Sellergren-Lindell-DeMarce Funeral Home is in charge of Mary's arrangements.