Boulder, CO - Mary Nash Crofoot von Schrader, 95, of Boulder, Colorado, died on February 25, 2026. She was born on March 14, 1930, in Omaha, Nebraska, to Edward Brooks Crofoot and Josephine Ellick Crofoot.

Mary attended Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart in Omaha and completed her secondary education at the Emma Willard School in Troy, New York. She graduated from Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley, Massachusetts in 1952. On October 16, 1952, she married Max von Schrader in Omaha, Nebraska. They shared 65 years of marriage until his death in 2017.

Mary always dreamed of having a large family and loved hers deeply. She was a devoted mother, grandmother, and friend, known for her kindness, generosity, and warm spirit.

An accomplished artist, Mary created a beautiful body of work that now hangs in the homes of family and friends. She spent many summers traveling to art festivals throughout the Midwest, sharing her passion for painting and connecting with fellow artists.

Mary was an active and engaged community member in Ottumwa, Iowa, where she and Max raised their family from 1956 to 2015. She was involved with the Ottumwa Art Club and served on the board of the Ottumwa Symphony, as well as the boards of St. Joseph's Hospital and Ottumwa Hospital. She was a member of P.E.O., St. Mary's Catholic Church, and Trinity Episcopal Church, and volunteered with Hospice and numerous other community organizations.

Mary enjoyed reading, travel, yoga, tennis, and exercise classes. She freely admitted she did not particularly enjoy cooking, but she made delicious, healthy brown bread nearly every week. She spent most of her life in Ottumwa and cherished many summers in Okoboji. Later in life, she and Max moved to Des Moines. After Max's death, Mary relocated to Boulder, Colorado, in 2020 to be closer to family.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Max von Schrader, and her parents. She is survived by her five children: Katy (Chris) Hurley, Madison, WI, Tom von Schrader, Boulder CO, Amy (Bob) Puelz, Austin TX, Mary Jean (Mike) O'Hair, Boulder CO, and Sarah von Schrader (Matt Klemm), Ithaca NY.

She is also survived by nine grandchildren: Claire Haywood (Brian), Drew Hurley (Emily), Charles Puelz (Emily), David Puelz (Hanna), Lauren Van Heeke (Tom), Jake O'Hair, Tom O'Hair (Mai), Frances Klemm, and Oliver Klemm; and eight great-grandchildren, with another expected in June.

Mary and her family were deeply grateful for the compassionate support she received in her final years from Trailwinds Hospice, The Academy, and Windhorse.

A memorial service will be held on March 7 at The Academy at Mapleton in Boulder. She will be buried alongside her husband in Ottumwa, Iowa, later this spring.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the YMCA of Ottumwa or TGHTR in Boulder CO (focused on ending youth homelessness).