Mary Ann Bures Bendele, age 98 of D'Hanis, Texas, was called to be with the Lord on April 20, 2020. Mary was born Dec. 4, 1921, in Louise, Texas, to Charles A. Bures  and Gabriella Fojtik Bures.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Calvin J. Bendele; brothers, Charles Jr., George and Edmond; and sister, Agnes Bures Breiten.

She is survived by her children, Shirley Fohn (Nick H.) of Uvalde, John Bendele (Rosemary) of D'Hanis, Dorothy Saunders (Arnold) of Devine, Ray Bendele (Kathy) of Hondo, Gloria Kenney (Wade) of Hondo, James Bendele (Pam) of Uvalde, Sharon Hardy (Sam) of Durango, CO; 17 grandchildren, 30 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Mary spent her childhood picking cotton on the family farm. When a report card of hers was found, cooking showed a grade of "C". When asked about it, she said her father gave her that grade because she couldn't  cook – she had spent all her time in the cotton field. However, milking got her an "A".

Upon graduation from high school, Mary received a scholarship to attend Southwestern Business University in Houston, where she achieved an executive secretarial certification, of which she was very proud.

On July 14, 1942, Mary was recruited for employment by the War Department at the Army Air Force Navigation School, Hondo Army Airfield. Boarding in Hondo, she lived upstairs with four other ladies who were also employed at the airfield. Mary and her girlfriends would attend dances on weekends. This is where she was introduced to Calvin.

They had a whirlwind three-month courtship and were married Sept. 25, 1943 – a marriage that would last 67 years. After marriage, Mary moved with Calvin to their long-time home, the Bendele Ranch, 12 miles north of  D'Hanis.

Mary was an avid lover of the outdoors and preferred outdoor chores like hoeing the garden, hanging clothes on the line to dry (and there were bunches of them), and planting zinnias in the front yard. She managed all this while providing for her family.

As a devout Catholic, Mary was a member of the Altar Society, Discussion Club, and a teacher of CCD for Holy Cross Catholic Church in D'Hanis. Mary instilled her strong faith into her seven children by teaching them to say the rosary each night, kneeling at her bedside. She also instilled her values of love, discipline, honesty and impartiality.

Mary enjoyed her free time playing cards with friends, camping, sewing and dancing. Her sewing skills would have her daughters in new dresses for Easter and the 4th of August church celebration.

After all the children left home, Mary enjoyed spending time ranching with Calvin.

Ever the strong, educated woman that she was, she persevered as a rancher's wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother for 98 years.

The Holy Rosary and Memorial Mass of the Resurrection for the immediate family was Friday, April 24, at Holy Cross Catholic Church. Recorded Live Stream services may be seen on the church's Facebook page. Interment was in Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery in D'Hanis.

Memorials may be made to Holy Cross Catholic Church or to a charity of one's choice.