Maria Powell, 73
Maria Dolores (Chrisman) Powell
Sept. 23, 1951 – Feb. 6, 2025
Maria was born in Lassen County California to A. Manuel and L. Ruth Jardin. The family moved to France in 1959 due to her father’s work with the Merchant Marines. Maria lived and attended school at a convent in Madrid, Spain where she learned to speak fluent Spanish and where she likely nurtured her most endearing qualities; generosity, selflessness, kindness, and her effortless ability to love unconditionally. She had said growing up in the convent was one of the highlights of her life
Her family returned to the United States and in 1969 she graduated high school in Susanville, CA. She married David Jones and they had a son, Manuel “Manny.” Maria and Manny moved to Wallace, Nebraska in the early 1970’s where she worked for her brother Hank. There she met and married Gregg Chrisman and they had two daughters, Arlyce and Erin. Maria spent 25 years in western Nebraska, she enjoyed working on the farm, milking cows and goats, raising chickens, gardening, and raising her family. Maria was deeply loved by the Chrisman family. She was a devoted mother and taught her children many skills, like cooking, sewing, speaking Spanish, playing the guitar, and singing; all activities she greatly enjoyed.
Maria was passionate about teaching; she attended college at Kearney State and became a school teacher. She taught high school in Grant, NE and later taught ESL in Fort Morgan, CO. She loved teaching and touched many hearts and influenced many students in the years she spent as an educator. Many of her students said they felt loved, heard, and understood by her and that she always had time to listen.
Maria met her loving husband, Lynn Powell at the VFW in Fort Morgan, CO where they enjoyed singing karaoke and dancing together. They were married in 2013 and shared 12 wonderful years together traveling the country, seeing sites, and visiting their families. She enjoyed traveling, visiting family and friends, and meeting new people. Maria never knew a stranger. She loved and was loved by all who knew her.
Maria embodied the principal, “To serve God is to serve others.” She was always serving, helping, and teaching. She would want this to be our fondest memory of her, and her greatest gift to us. We ask that in her memory, proceed in kindness and in service to others.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers, Hank Kinney, Jack Jardin, Eric Chrisman, sister Patricia Howard, and her beloved granddaughter Natalie Berry.
Maria is survived by her Husband, Lynn Powell of Fort Morgan, CO, sisters Arlyce (Dale) Tenbroek, Rogue River, OR Sheri (John) Grint, Chadron, NE, brother Ricardo (Patricia) Jardin, Loyalton, CA. Her children Manny (Debbie) Chrisman, North Platte, NE, Arylce Chrisman, Wallace, NE, Erin Chrisman, Fremont, NE. Step Children Derek (Bree) Powell, Johnstown, CO, Jill (Amos) White, Greeley, CO. Grandchildren, Christian Chrisman, Chandler (Will) Lehman, Chase Chrisman, Emma Berry, Sophia Goings, Lexi Powell, Kade Powell, Slayd White, Piper White. Great Grandchildren Will, Nina, Liberty, Easton, Adrian, and Hadley. Many nieces, nephews, close friends and extended family members who truly loved her dearly.
A celebration of Maria’s life will be held Sunday March 2, 2025 from 2-5 pm MT, (3-6pm CST) at Willow and Oak 801 Diamond Springs Trail, Ogallala, NE. Please bring your instruments and your singing voices, as we plan to honor Maria’s wishes and celebrate her life.
A scholarship has been established in her name for aspiring teachers, and a donation in her memory will be made to the University of Colorado Anshutz to aid in their continued research of Pulmonary Fibrosis.
A special thank you to Lauren Klima and Monica Poppe for arranging flowers, cards, and condolences which can be sent by contacting: Blume Flower Studio 150 Central Ave, Grant, NE 69140 (308) 352-2254