Mary Lou Djernes

Mary Lou Djernes, 91, of Central City, died Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026, at Litzenburg Long Term Care in Central City. Funeral services will be held Friday, Feb. 27, 2026, at 11 a.m. at United Methodist Church in Central City with Pastor Francis Kinyua officiating. Public burial will be at the Central City Cemetery.

Memorials are suggested to the family to be designated at a later date.  Condolences can be sent to the family at www.soltwagnerfuneral.com.

Mary Lou was born Jan. 31, 1935, in Hordville, to Ralph and Hilda (Ortegren) Flodman. She was baptized and confirmed at Fridhem Church and graduated from high school in 1953. On Jan. 2, 1955, she married Lyle Djernes at Fridhem Church.

In her 50s and 60s, Mary Lou completed her college degree in nursing. Her first job was cleaning houses before becoming a stay-at-home mother. In September 1971, she began her nursing career at Litzenburg Hospital. She later worked at Community Care Nursing Home and eventually became the activities director at Litzenburg Long Term Care. In the early 1990s, she earned her EMT certification.

Mary Lou was a member of Fridhem Church and later transferred to Central City United Methodist Church. She was active in American Red Cross blood drives, Heartland Food Bank, the Methodist Women’s Church Group, and was an Extension Club member and 4-H club leader. She bowled on several teams and enjoyed playing the accordion, taking vocal music lessons, listening to polka music, gardening, and had a deep passion for horses and animals.

Mary Lou is survived by her four sons, Leon (Amy) Djernes of Grand Island, Ralph (Chris) Djernes of Central City, Rory (Lori) Djernes of Grand Island, and Matt (Mechell) Djernes of Central City; sister, Ida Mae Rutherford of Central City; 13 grandchildren; and 25 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Lucas Lyle; her parents; her sister, Janet Flodman; her brother, Elton Flodman; and her great-grandchildren, Addison Grace Djernes, Brooklyn Sue Djernes, and Asher Morriss.