Mary Elder

Mary Beth (Watts) Elder, 70, of Glenwood IA (formerly of Slater MO), passed away on March 31, 2024 in Omaha NE. She was born on November 28, 1953, in Marshall MO, to the late Mary Jane (Schaefer) Watts and Harvey Major Watts Jr.

Mary had a fulfilling career as an accountant, working with Arthur Andersen LLP, serving as the Saline County Missouri Auditor, and later as a Crew Dispatcher and Revenue Accountant with the Union Pacific Railroad. She retired from the Union Pacific Railroad on October 19, 2019.

Outside of her professional life, Mary was a member of The National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution Arrow Rock Chapter and The National Society Daughters of the American Colonist, reflecting her passion for history and heritage.

Mary is survived by her beloved husband, William (Grig) Elder of Glenwood, IA, her children William (Andy) Elder of Glenwood IA, Daniel Elder of Blue Springs MO, Sara Elder of Glenwood IA, her sisters Martha & husband Harley Shepard of Blue Springs MO, Margaret & husband Dale Stallman of Glasgow MO, her sisters-in-law Andrea (Elder) Boggio of Moreno Valley CA, Delores Watts of Blue Springs MO, Vintra Watts of Grain Valley MO, Geri Watts of Pleasant Hill MO, and many beloved nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents Mary was preceded in death by her brothers Harvey Major (Jack) Watts III, George (Bo) Frederick Watts, Charles Wilson Watts, and nephew Gregory Major Watts.

The family invites you to attend the Funeral Mass, which shall be offered in remembrance of Mary Beth at 12:00 noon on Saturday, April 20, 2024, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Slater, Missouri. This will be followed by the interment of her ashes at Slater City Cemetery. Friends may call upon the family during visitation from 11:00 AM until the hour of service at the church.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the American Heart Association or St. Joseph Catholic Church of Slater, Missouri, in Mary's honor.

Mary Beth Elder will be dearly missed by all who knew her, and her memory will be cherished forever.