Mary J. James

Mary J. James, 88, of Pender, NE, passed away on Thursday, February 26, 2026, at the Pender Community Hospital in Pender, NE. The visitation will be held on Monday, March 2, 2026, from 9:30 am until 10:30 a.m. at the Cornerstone Assembly of God Church in Pender. The funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. at the church, with Pastor Dave Cumming officiating. Burial will be in the Evergreen Cemetery in Walthill, NE. Memorials are suggested to the family for future designation. Arrangements are under the direction of Munderloh-Smith Funeral Home in Pender.

Mary was born on November 2, 1937, in Bordentown, NJ, the youngest child of ten to Thomas and Fairy (Smiers) Wood. On March 23, 1957, Mary was united in marriage to Robert M. James in Bordentown, NJ. The couple moved to Las Vegas, NV, where she managed Vegas Village. They later moved to Riverside, IA, and later to Walthill, NE. They later moved to Pender. For many years, Mary worked for Goldenrod Hills in Walthill, NE, and later at PoPo’s Restaurant in Pender. She loved her family and raised many foster children. She will be known for her kindness, love, and compassion she showed for so many.

She is survived by her son, Doug (Chris) Ball of Riverside, IA; daughters, Robin (Arland) Harmon of Pender, NE, Stacey (Al) Ring of Pender, NE, Patty (Randy) Stanton of N. Sioux City, SD; over 100 foster children; several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Robert James; sons, James Patrick Ball, Robert Scott James, Ted Ball; granddaughter, Casey Ball; grandson, Nick Urbanec; nine brothers and sisters.