Mary Grace Bushner was born on February 18, 1942, on the Bushner family farm north of Yuma, Colorado, to Otto and Lillyan Bushner—during a blizzard. After her birth, Otto had to take the doctor back to town on a tractor through the snow, marking the beginning of Mary’s life with resilience and grit.
She was raised in a loving home alongside her siblings Xyla, Jeanné, Fred, and Susan. Mary attended Yuma schools, where she was an active student and community member. After high school, she attended beauty school in Denver, pursuing her early passion for style and personal care.
During high school, Mary volunteered as a candy striper, gaining early experience in the medical field. She also taught tap and ballet to local children—sharing her love of dance long before knowing her great-granddaughters would one day follow in her footsteps.She graduated from Yuma High School in 1960.
Mary met her high school sweetheart, Harold Edward Stetson, and they were married on October 8, 1961. Though unable to have children biologically, Mary and Harold lovingly adopted two children: Muzette Renné (Missie) (June 17, 1965) and Brett Dirk (April 11, 1967).
Tragically, Mary became a widow at the young age of 31 after Harold’s unexpected passing. Later, she met James (Jim) Nagel through Parents Without Partners in Denver, and they married on February 6, 1976.
Mary and Jim returned to Yuma later that year after she lost a bet—Mary said if Jim could find a job by noon that day, they’d move. He did, and they made Yuma their permanent home.
Mary worked in various roles throughout her life, including a waitress and nurse’s aide, eventually retiring from the billing department at Yuma District Hospital at the age of 75. Her dedication, warmth, and sense of humor left a lasting impression on everyone she worked with.
A passionate crafter, Mary loved creating beautiful things with her hands and heart. She was her grandchildren’s biggest cheerleader, rarely missing a game, concert, or school event. In her later years, she helped her daughter Missie care for her great-grandchildren until they were school-aged—a role she treasured deeply.
Mary was preceded in death by her first husband, Harold Stetson; her parents, Otto and Lillyan Bushner; her in-laws, Clarence and Mildred Stetson and Joseph and Mary Nagel; her sisters, Xyla Wagner and Jeanné Majors; her sisters-in-law, Kay Bushner and Velma Stetson; her brothers-in-law, Don Majors, Kenny Wagner, and Dale Stetson; her nephew-in-law, Dan Kirchenschlager; and many other beloved in-laws.
She is survived by her devoted husband, James (Jim) Nagel; her daughter, Missie (Mike) Lebsock; her son, Brett (Starla) Stetson; her grandchildren, Tyler (Breann) Lebsock, Jarred (Tina) Lebsock, Kayla (Tysen) Jay, and Austin (Erika) Thompson; her great-grandchildren, Addison and Carson Jay, Kodi, Jeremiah, and Joshua Lebsock, and Asher and Lincoln Thompson. She is also survived by her siblings Fred Bushner and Susan (Loris) Allen, along with several nieces and nephews who will cherish her memory.
Mary was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend. Her life was a beautiful blend of strength, kindness, laughter, and love. She will be deeply missed and forever remembered.