Mary Sheets Obituary

Mary Lou Purvis Collins Sheets, 81, of North Platte, NE, passed away October 10, 2025, at her home in North Platte.  

Mary, the daughter of Alfred and Bessie (McDaniel) Purvis, was born June 1, 1944 in Ainsworth, NE.  On February 3, 1960, she married Franklin D. Collins, and to this union, six children were born: Eileen, Cindy, Franklin, Sidney, Nathan, and Iva. On March 13, 1980, Mary married James R. Sheets, and to this union, two children were born: Lester and Warren. 

Mary grew up and attended school in Ainsworth. Her summers and holiday vacations were some of her most cherished memories, as she shared how blessed she was to spend the time on her grandparents farm outside of Johnstown. She graduated nursing school as an LPN in 1977.  She lived in Deadwood, SD for 13 years after retirement, and then moved back to North Platte.  A natural caregiver, she channeled her nurturing spirit into both her nursing career and her role as the world’s best mom. She loved elephants, plants and flowers, reminiscing and story telling.  She absolutely loved babies and her family was her whole world.  

Mary was preceded in death by her grandparents, Jess and Iva McDaniel; her parents, her husbands, her daughter Cindy Lou, one grandson, Jordan Collins, and two sisters, Carol (Bill) Ristov, and Kay Spegel. 

Those left to cherish her memory are her brother, Jed Purvis of Lehigh Acres, FL; daughters Eileen Olson of Chadron, NE; Iva (Wayne) Busboom of North Platte, NE; sons Sid (Vicki) Collins of North Platte, NE, Franklin (Penny) Collins of Longpine, NE, Nathan (Sasha) Collins of North Platte, NE, Lester (Karie) Sheets of North Platte, Warren (Kelli) Sheets of North Platte, NE, 16 grandchildren, 24 great grandchildren, 1 great great grandchild, and many nieces and nephews.  Memorials may be directed to the Shriner's Crippled Children's Fund or PreBorn ministries.

A celebration of life will be held 4:00 P.M. Saturday, November 1, 2025 at the Berean Garage Cafe, located at 711 North Vine St., North Platte, NE.