Mary Kay Cihal was born on July 12, 1941 in Omaha, Nebraska to John and Mary Rose (Puetz) Hanus and passed away on July 14, 2019 in Dwight, Nebraska at the age of 78 years and 2 days.  Kay grew up on the family farm in the Bellwood area where she attended Marietta School through eleventh grade.  Her family moved to a farm near David City before her senior year and she graduated from St. Mary's Catholic School with the Class of 1959.

After high school, Kay worked for a short time at the Butler County REA before going to work in the trust department at First National Bank in Lincoln until 1966.  Kay married Melvin Frank Cihal at St. Mary's Catholic Church in David City on August 27, 1966, and to this union three children were born.  Mel and Kay lived in Cedar Rapids, Iowa for the first few years of their marriage where she continued to work in banking.  In 1968, they moved back to Butler County and established their family farm near Dwight.  It was here they lived and raised a loving family for nearly 53 years of marriage.  Kay always kept busy working on the farm.  She loved gardening, canning, baking, and she sewed many clothes and quilts for her children and grandchildren.  Above all, Kay was a loving and dedicated wife, mother and grandmother.  She most enjoyed spending time with her children and grandchildren, attending their sporting events, band concerts and other special activities.  Kay cared for many loved ones throughout her life and is most remembered for selflessly giving her time to family, friends and neighbors. She was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Ulysses and actively participated in the Altar Society.  Kay had a firm and constant devotion to her Catholic faith throughout her life, but especially during her final illness.

Kay was preceded in death by her parents; stepmother, Genevieve Hanus; sister, Jeanne Hanus; brother, Gerald Hanus; and brother-in-law, Leon Orender.

Survivors cherishing her memory include her husband, Melvin Cihal; children, Jean Osborn and fiancé Scott Patton of Wellsville, Kansas, Sheri Hilger and husband Kevin of Olathe, Kansas, and Alan Cihal and wife Dana of Seward, Nebraska; four grandchildren, Madi Hilger, Riley Hilger, Brenna Cihal and Broden Cihal; brother, John Hanus and wife Penne; two sisters, Connie Johnson and husband Don, Karen Steffensmeir and husband Paul; brother-in-law, Gary Cihal and wife Shirley, two sisters-in-law, Mary Jean Riha and husband Larry, Delores Orender; and many nephews, nieces and dear friends.   To this obituary we add our thoughts, prayers and memories of a life shared with Kay.