Lela M. Epley

Lela Epley, 89 Kearney resident Lela Epley, 89, of Kearney, died Friday, August 21, 2015 in the comfort of her home. Funeral Services will be 10:00 a.m. Monday, August 31, 2015 at the Kearney Evangelical Free Church. The Rev. Brian Klein will officiate. Burial will follow at the Prairie Center Cemetery at Haven's Chapel. Visitation will be 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Sunday, August 30 at O'Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral Home. Memorials are suggested to Press On Youth Center, TEAM Missions, or the Kearney E-Free Church Mission Fund. Condolences may be shared online at www.osrfh.com. O'Brein Straatmann Redinger Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Lela Maye Epley was born February 11, 1926 in Cheyenne County, Colorado to James and Ethel (McGinnis) Hird. When Lela and her twin sister Lois were 13, the family moved to Buffalo County, Nebraska. Lela received her education in country school, Poole School and Ravenna High School, graduating in 1945. Lela earned her teacher's certificate and taught school for 2 years. On October 14, 1947, she was united in marriage to William W. Epley. In 1961 Lela and Bill and their 3 children moved to Sherman County, where they bought a farm near Ashton. Following her husband's death in 1975, Lela moved to Loup City and worked at the Loup City Medical Clinic for 11 years. In 1990 Lela moved to Kearney to be closer to family. For many years, Lela was active with Extension Clubs and her children's 4-H clubs and ball teams. She was an active church member all of her life, joining the Kearney Evangelical Free Church in 1990. Lela enjoyed cooking, gardening, embroidering, scrapbooking and reading. She avidly followed the news, praying for many people, for the nation and for the world. Lela was known for her joyous attitude, her contentment with life, and her love of family and friends. Left to cherish her memory are her sons, Russell (Flossie) Epley of Tokyo, Japan and Glenn (Nancy) Epley of Kearney; daughter Carol (Drew) Arnold of Sumner; grandchildren, Christie (Chul) Moreau of Seattle WA, Joel (Christina) Epley of Augusta ME, Dana (Chris) Stelling of Yorktown VA, Jeff (Mandi) Epley of Panama City FL, Brand (Sheila, fiancee) Bonsall of Scottsdale AZ, Broc Bonsall of Vail CO, Donna (John) DeMarco of Clarksville TN, Pam (Les) Miller of Ankeny IA, Clark (Catie) Rathe of Farmington NM, Grant (Amanda) Rathe of Nashville TN, Nolan Rathe of Lincoln, Jason (Patty) Lacoss-Arnold of St. Louis MO; 18 great-grandchildren; her brother Wesley (Jean) Hird, sisters-in-law Patricia Hird and Muriel Epley, and many beloved nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends. Lela was preceded in death by her parents; 6 brothers, 5 sisters and her husband.

Lela M. Epley

February 11, 1926 - August 21, 2015