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In Memory

Mary Orin (Avery) - Class Of 1953

Mary L. (Orin) Holst / Avery Friday, January 30, 2009 June 29, 1936 -- January 27, 2009 ATLANTA, Ga. -- Mary Lorraine (Orin) Avery, age 72, passed away Jan. 27, 2009, in Atlanta, Ga., surrounded by her family. Mary was born in Culbertson, Neb., on June 29, 1936 to Charles "Jack" and Eloise (Moore) Orin and grew up on the family ranch south of Culbertson where her grandfather, Ed Orin, raised horses and trained Kentucky Derby winner and member of the Jockey Hall of Fame, Steve Brooks. She graduated from McCook High School in 1953 and attended McCook Community College. On May 28, 1955, she married Gordon W. Holst in McCook. To this union four sons were born. Together they operated the Hitchwillow Ranch south of town for nearly 30 years. The family enjoyed motorcycling and extensive travel in their free time. On Dec. 31, 1986, she married Melvin W. Avery in Kissimmee, Fla., and worked as a legal assistant for a number of years. In 2004 she and her husband retired to a small farm they purchased near Olive Hill, Tenn. She devoted much of her time to her children and grandchildren of whom she was very fond. She was also a prolific quilter producing 180 quilts which she gave cheerfully to family, friends, charities and injured American servicemen. Mary was a member of the Olivet Cumberland Presbyterian Church of Savannah, Tenn. Her parents and an infant brother preceded her in death. Mary is survived by her loving husband, Melvin Avery; her four sons, Greg Holst and wife, Laurie of Niles, Mich., Brad Holst and wife, Rebecca of Somerset, Ky., Kurt Holst of Cocoa Beach, Fla., and Chad Holst and wife, Sharon of McDonough, Ga.; her brother, Charles Orin and wife, Joni (Smith) of Livingston, Texas; two step-daughters, Amy Gammon and husband, Gary of St. Cloud, Fla., and Trish Will and husband, Rick of St. Cloud; seven grandchildren, Jeffrey, Kayla, Courtney, Brandon, Jared, Jenalee, and Jacob; six step-grandchildren, Christina, Delanie, Krystal, Danny, Bradley and Jeffrey; nieces and nephews. Condolences may be sent c/o Greg Holst, 30716 Rocking Horse Lane, Niles, MI 49120. A memorial service will be for family and friends at Herrmann Funeral Home in McCook June 27, 2009, when her ashes are returned to Nebraska. Memorials may be sent to the funeral home at that time. McCook Daily Gazette McCook, NE Picture is available