Arlene D. Florell

Arlene D. Florell, 94 of Kearney, formerly of Elm Creek, died Saturday, March 4, 2017 at Kearney Regional Hospital. Funeral services will be 10:30 am Thursday at Kearney E Free Church. The Revs. John Fowler and Roger Wendt will officiate. A lunch and reception will directly follow the service. Private graveside services will be held at the Kearney Cemetery. Visitation will be 5-7 pm Wednesday at O’Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral Home in Kearney. Memorials are suggested to the family for future designation. Condolences may be shared at www.osrfh.com. O’Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral Home of Kearney is in charge of arrangements. Arlene was born on October 20, 1922 to John and Anna (Geherts) Reiter at their home in Poole, Nebraska. She and her twin sister (Avis) were delivered by their grandpa Hermann, as the Dr. had been delayed by an emergency. What a surprise for her mother and grandfather when not one, but two came along! When she was four her father had bought a farmstead north of Elm Creek and built a home and barn. She recalls her dad and older brothers loading up the wagon and hitching up the team of horses to head for Elm Creek on Sunday night to work on their home, and returning late Friday night to join the rest of the family. She grew up in the Elm Creek area and graduated from Elm Creek High School. Arlene worked for various families during her high school years, helping with household chores and caring for their children. She especially enjoyed one family, they had a beautiful modern kitchen and she loved to cook! She had her first paying job after she graduated from high school, her sister got her a job as a nanny making $35.00 a month in Casper, WY. It didn’t last long; she was so homesick that after earning enough money she purchased a bus ticket home. Her most successful job was when she worked for Irene and Joe Meier from Elm Creek. Not only did she enjoy working for them, but she also met the love of her life. Rusty would breeze by in his little Chevy coupe with a big raccoon tail on it, honking at her while she hung clothes on the line. Needless to say she soon married Russell (Rusty) Florell on August 31, 1944 at Trinity E-Free Church in Holdrege, NE. Their happy union was soon interrupted when Rusty was called to serve in the Amy Air Corp during WWII. One of her favorite memories was when she and Rusty were able to be a part of the Hero Flight to Washington D.C. to honor the WWII veterans. Later three of her grandsons would join the military, she was concerned but said our freedom was worth fighting for. When Rusty came home from the service the couple made their home in the Wilcox area, where they farmed and raised livestock. Arlene was quite the little chicken rancher and soon learned she had a gift as a businesswoman. In 1953 they purchased a country filling station south of Elm Creek which later became known as Rusty’s Platte Service. It was truly a mom and pop one stop service station. Arlene, Rusty and kids changed oil, pumped gas, washed windows, and made hamburgers. They also ran a tank wagon business and mom cooked for the hired men that worked for their corn shelling business. Arlene could fix a tire like none other and took great pride in the fact that she could handle most of the daily services offered. Arlene also managed the books while she ran a household and raised four children. She always had a smile and an encouraging word for all who passed through their doors. She ran a tight ship at the station, always had her trusty tire iron handy if an emergency should arise, but mostly it was her smile that disarmed any potential troublemakers! She was an active member of Holcomb Evangelical Free Church where she taught Sunday School and Bible School, as well as being active in WMS. One of her happiest times was when her husband told her about Jesus and she accepted Christ as her personal savior. Mr. Florell preceded her in death in 2013. Arlene will always be remembered for her great zest for life, generous compassion for people and her determined strong spirit to carry her through life’s journey. She leaves behind a beautiful legacy of unconditional love, faithfulness and commitment to her belated husband of 70 years, Rusty. Survivors include her sons, Eugene Florell and wife Barbara, Arlin Florell and wife Sally and Kelly Florell and wife Robin, all of Elm Creek; a daughter, Shelley Miller and husband Larry of Kearney; 19 grandchildren; 45 great grandchildren; seven great great grandchildren; and two sisters in law, Audrey Reiter and Irene Florell. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, four brothers, Maurice, Kenneth, Russell and Warren; three sisters, Gertrude Wilhelmy, Helen Watt and twin Avis Nickel. Arlene was the last sibling to go home to Jesus, what a family reunion in heaven!

Arlene D. Florell

October 20, 1922 - March 4, 2017