Anna Marie Mullen

Mass of Christian Burial for Anna Marie Mullen, age 99, of Norfolk, Nebraska will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 4, 2026, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Norfolk. Reverend Pat McLaughlin will be celebrant, with burial in Prospect Hill Cemetery in Norfolk.

The service will be livestreamed on the funeral home website.

Visitation will be Tuesday from 4:00 to 6:30 p.m. at the church, with a 6:30 p.m. Vigil Service.

Home for Funerals in Norfolk is in charge of arrangements.

It is with great sadness that the family of Anna Marie Mullen announces her passing on February 25, 2026, in Lincoln, Nebraska.

She was born in Atkinson on October 3, 1926, the eldest of 11 children born to Frank and Ida Disterhaupt. Ann married John Mullen of Emmett, Nebraska on August 1, 1945. They farmed several years, and then moved to O’Neill, and later Atkinson, Nebraska. In 1961, the family relocated to Norfolk, Nebraska, where John started Mullen Signs.

They were blessed with nine children: Mary Ellen, Kathleen, Betty, Nancy, Mike, John Jr, Bill, Margy, and Bonnie.

Ann was always interested in music and played stand-up bass in “The Mullen Family Orchestra.” They played for many dances in the Atkinson area during the 50s and early 60s.

Ann also enjoyed dancing, playing cards and visiting with her numerous friends and extended family members. She belonged to the Norfolk Senior Center and had been a member of the Norfolk Women’s Club.

Ann was a devout Catholic, and enjoyed going to Mass, and participating in church functions, Altar Society, and Catholic Daughters.

She provided foster care through the State of Nebraska for many years. The main interest in Ann’s life was her family, of which she took wonderful care. She was a talented seamstress and wonderful cook and homemaker. She will always be remembered for her gorgeous cakes, for her crafts, needlework and beautiful clothing that she sewed for her daughters.

Ann was especially fond of her 13 grandchildren and enjoyed their activities and sporting events. She also had 28 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, John; daughter, Margy; son, Bill; two granddaughters, Suzanne and Gina Brown; and four brothers, Frank, Ray, Ed, and Jay.

Ann is survived by children, Mary Ellen Brown (Terry) of Santa Rosa, CA, Kathleen Spykstra (Ray) of Ashland, NE, Betty Darrell (Ric) of Omaha, Nancy Becker (Steve) of Lincoln, Mike Mullen (Linda) and John Jr Mullen (Tami) of Norfolk and Bonnie Mullen of Omaha, NE; and her siblings, Doris, Herman, Maryanne, Lonnie, Clem, and Alden.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Anna Marie Mullen, please visit our floral store.