Mary Jane Bede, 90, passed away peacefully March 2,2025, at home with her loving family at her side in Sheridan, WY. She was born on October 31, 1934 to Jim & Louise O’Leary in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

    Growing up, Mary Jane moved around IA and ND finally moving to Sheridan, WY in 1948. She graduated from Sheridan High School in 1952. Mary Jane continued her education at the Saint Catherine College in St. Paul, MN graduated with a B.S. in Elementary Education, a minor in Library Science and membership in the Honorary Social Science Society, Pi Gamma MU in 1956. She continued post-grad studies at Sheridan College, University of Wyoming and Eastern Montana College in Billings, MT.

    Mary Jane married Mitchel Jack Bede on November 30, 1957, at Holy Name Catholic Church in Sheridan, WY. They lived in Billings, MT, and moved to Sheridan in 1967. They had 4 children: James Michael, Mark Andrew, Anne Marie, and Mary Susan. She taught in Billings, MT at Broadwater Elementary school from 1956-1961 then Bitterroot Elementary School, from 1966–1967. After moving to Sheridan, Mary Jane taught at Holy Name School and in Sheridan County School District #2. She retired in the spring of 1998.

    In retirement, Mary Jane worked with various students for the Adult Education Department of Sheridan College until 2009. She also worked at Cottonwood Kitchen Shop and JBD, Inc. Mary Jane was also a member of Holy Name Catholic Church and active in the St. Pius X Altar & Rosary Society. Organization memberships included Christian Women’s Club, Women’s Aglow, the Order of St. Luke, and the Sheridan County Historical Society & Museum.

    One of Mary Jane’s passions was traveling. She visited 15 different countries and drove about 64,000 miles by car around the US and traveled to Alaska & New England. Mary Jane enjoyed supporting her children and grandchildren as they participated in various sports and activities. She also enjoyed Bible Studies, knitting, sewing, and reading!

    Mary Jane is preceded in death by her parents in 1971 & 1982, and husband, Jack in 1981. She is survived by Jim (Lynnet) Bede, Mark (Kathy) Bede, and Anne (Doug) Enloe, all of Sheridan, and Mary Sue (Steve) Winslow of Stephenville, Texas, as well as grandchildren Finn & Kavan Bede, Lindsey (Justin) Vredenburg, Mikole (Austin) Soto, and Laurel Bede, Cassidy Enloe, Emma Enloe, Kiley McKenzie, and Carly Johnson. Her great grandchildren include Lydia and Macey Dillard, Kamden Vredenburg, and Marley Soto and she is also survived by Jack’s nephew and 3 nieces.

    Suggested Memorials – Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, c/o Deacon Joe Kristufek, P.O. Box 100, Lame Deer, MT 59043; Sheridan County Fulmer Public Library, 335 W. Alger, Sheridan, WY 82801; The Food Group, P.O. Box 6702, Sheridan, WY 82801

    A Rosary will be held on Friday, March 7th 2025 at4:30 PM at Champion Kane Funeral Home. A Memorial Mass will take place on Saturday, March 8th 2025 at 10:30 AM at Holy Name Catholic Church officiated by Fr. Glenn Whewell. Immediately following the mass will be a reception at the Parish Hall.

If you are unable to attend the service please follow the link below to view the service livestream,

https://boxcast.tv/view/funeral-mass-for-mary-jane-bede-icmeq6qitdoxyqnohcnbicmeq6qitdoxyqnohcnb

Inurnment will take place at a later time.

‍

‍