Mary Kathryn Bue

Mary was born in Geneva, Nebraska, in 1925. She was one of three children born to Robert Bennett Waring and Vera Lindstrom Waring. Mary attended Geneva High School, graduating in 1943. After graduation, she attended the University of Nebraska in Lincoln, where she majored in English Literature and pledged Kappa Alpha Theta sorority. In 1943, until the end of the war, and while studying at the University of Nebraska, Mary aided in the war effort by volunteering at the Fairmont Army Airfield in Fairmont, Nebraska. In 1944, she was bestowed an honorary membership by the B-24 pilots training there. Mary graduated from the University of Nebraska in 1947 with a degree in English Literature.

In the Spring of 1948, Mary attended her brother Bob’s high school graduation at the Shattuck School in Fairbault, Minnesota. It was there that her brother introduced her to Carl Olaf Bue, Jr., who was attending his Shattuck School reunion. This was the beginning of a long and wonderful life together. Carl and Mary were married in the middle of a snowstorm on the 27th of December 1948, in Geneva, Nebraska.

In 1951, Mary and Carl moved to Texas, where Carl enrolled in the University Texas School of Law. After Carl graduated from Law School, Mary and Carl settled in Houston, Texas. Mary was a devoted wife and mother and by Carl’s side as he made partner in the prestigious maritime law firm of Royston and Razor and ultimately was appointed by President Nixon a United States District Judge from the Southern District of Texas.

Throughout their lives together, Mary and Carl enjoyed traveling. Upon Carl’s retirement in 1987, they traveled extensively worldwide to places of historical interest to them both. Whip smart and the perfect partner to Carl, Mary was interested in and knowledgeable about a broad range of subjects. Carl liked to say that Mary knew so much about so many things, she could talk to anyone about anything. Like Carl, Mary never stopped learning. She was always reading, quoting poetry, and listening to her beloved music, all of which she enjoyed sharing with her family. Her recall of poetry and song lyrics was nothing short of amazing.

Mary was a member of Memorial Drive United Methodist Church in Houston, Kappa Alpha Theta sorority, D.A.R., P.E.O., and an honorary member of Fairmont Army Airfield Base.

She was preceded in death by one week by her constant companion and devoted husband of 72 years, Carl Olaf Bue, Jr. She was also preceded in death by her brother, Robert “Bob” Bennett Waring, Jr., and her sister, Lila Waring Williams. She is survived by her son, Richard Charles Bue and his wife Rebecca, of Raleigh, North Carolina; two grandchildren, Virginia Bue and Campbell Bue of Raleigh, North Carolina; and her daughter, Kathryn Anne Bue, of Wiley, Texas. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Maria Waring of Geneva, Nebraska, along with many nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank Natalie, Chawncey, Gloria, Kayla, Rod and the many others with Christian Companions who lovingly cared for Carl and Mary in their later years. The family would also like to thank Betsy with Seasons Hospice for her kind and compassionate care.

A memorial service with be held in Houston after Covid restrictions are lifted with interment in Nebraska at a later date.

In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests with gratitude that memorial contributions in her name be directed to The University of Nebraska-Lincoln Glenn Korff School of Music, 1010 Lincoln Mall, Lincoln, NE 68508; or to the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority, 8740 Founders Road, Indianapolis, IN 46268.