Mary Anna (Kroeger) Devlin's Obituary
Our mother, Mary Anna (Kroeger) Devlin (79), was called to heaven on July 8, 2026 in Gunnison, Utah, after battling cancer for nearly a decade. She was born to Earl and Helen (Butler) Kroeger on May 3, 1947 in Ogden, Utah. As the oldest child of five children, Mary was a helper to her mother. She often told stories of caring for her younger siblings and working in the house with her mother. She also developed a love for music as a child, telling stories of learning the violin while the family lived in California and, of course, singing. She had the most beautiful voice. On several occasions, ladies in the ward would come up to her after sitting near her during sacrament meeting and tell her how much they enjoyed hearing her sing the hymns.
Mary’s love and caring nature carried through her entire life. On December 16, 1976 she married Edmund Joseph Devlin Jr, and they had five children together: Jason, Brianna, Ryan, Burke, and Christopher. Ed and Mary divorced in 1987, but remained friends because Mary wanted her children to have the opportunity to have relationships with both parents. Mary even cared for Ed during difficult times with his health. Her years as a mother were rewarding but challenging, as she was primarily the one caring for the children, facing countless parenting demands, strong wills, and those infamous teenage years. During these testing times, she leaned on her faith in Jesus Christ to pull her through and guide her. She raised all her children as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and faithfully took them to church each week even after working all night at the hospital. Today, all her children are good citizens, hold advanced degrees, and are successful in their chosen fields. Additionally, she has been blessed with 13 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren who carry on her love.
Mary’s kindness and caring nature were further exhibited in her career. She spent 30 years as a registered nurse at McKay Dee Hospital and loved working with heart patients. She often came home from work and told sweet stories of her experiences, moments they shared, of course. During those years, she could often be found in the driveway asleep in the car after a long shift. Her love of nursing was strong because she loved helping others.
Mary had many hobbies and talents. She was an amazing seamstress, making several outfits for he children and even sewing her daughter's wedding dress. She loved music and encouraged her children to play instruments and sing, as well as being a vocalist herself. She served in several music-related callings at church throughout the years. She enjoyed doing genealogy with her sisters and would often give updates to her children about the status of document searches. In her middle and late years, she started art classes and developed a love for painting. Her favorite was watercolor, but she also dabbled in oils and acrylic. She painted several of her grandchildren. After her children were gone, she enjoyed attending additional religion classes during the week.
Mary has a strong testimony of Jesus Christ. She always tried to live by the principles of love, faith, kindness, charity, and service. She was a woman who was forced to learn to set boundaries by life but could always show Christlike love. Her love for her fellow men was evident in her works. She did not just believe in the teachings of Jesus Christ, she lived them to the best of her ability. We have no doubt she was welcomed with open arms into her heavenly home. While we will miss her dearly, there is some peace in knowing she is finally at rest, no longer burdened by the pains of her failing body. Our mother knew how to give love and, in doing so is loved beyond measure. She is already missed by those she had to leave behind.
Mary was preceded in death by her parents Earl Kroeger and Helen Kroeger. She is survived by her children: Jason Devlin (Leann), Brianna Scott (Aaron), Ryan Devlin (Jennifer), Burke Devlin (Jenny), and Christopher Devlin; Her grandchildren: Shyann Keetch (Stetson), Aizley Scott, Lilly Scott, Boston Devlin, Cambree Devlin, Brinley Devlin, Ryder Devlin, Aiden Devln, Ellie Devlin, Zoe Devlin, Ava Devlin, Summit Devlin, Steel Devlin, and Scout Devlin; Her great-grandchildren Ilee Keetch and Laney Keetch; and her siblings Elaine Smith (Dave), Fred Kroeger (Louann), LuWanna Nielsen (Bill Curtis), Doug Kroeger (Heidi).
Services will be held at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Lake View building with a viewing July 17, 2026 from 6- 8 pm and July 18, 9:30-10:45. The funeral will begin July 18th at 11:00 am with interment following at the Clinton Cemetery.
4900 South 2000 West, Roy, Utah 84067
Flower deliveries may be made directly to the church beginning at 5:00 p.m. on July 17th or Saturday morning July 18th, beginning at 8:30 a.m.
Funeral Service Zoom Link….. More information to follow.
What’s your fondest memory of Mary?
What’s a lesson you learned from Mary?
Share a story where Mary's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Mary you’ll never forget.
How did Mary make you smile?