ELVERA JENKINS
Elvera Ann Jenkins, 83, of Johnson, Nebraska, passed away on August 17, 2023, at The Monarch in Lincoln, Nebraska after being hospitalized over the past month.
Elvera was born on November 2, 1939, in Peru, Nebraska, to Herman and Rosa Boden, being the fifth child in the family with the clan expanding to seven as the years passed. Elvera attended school in Nemaha, Nebraska where she enjoyed being involved in various activities, including playing volleyball, being a cheerleader for the Nemaha Indians, and playing clarinet in the school band. She graduated from Nemaha High School in May 1957, where she was crowned the homecoming queen in her senior year.
After high school, Elvera began her career as a long-distance operator for the Lincoln Telephone Company in Auburn. She then worked at the Danny Dare Sewing Factory, where she took pride in exceeding daily quotas and always passing quality inspections.
Elvera was united in marriage to Fred Jenkins, Jr. on July 3, 1962, at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Auburn, Nebraska. Three children were born to this union, Jon, Cindy and Brenda. The family made their home in Auburn and moved to Johnson in 1972. Fred died suddenly of a stroke in October 1977.
Following the passing of her husband, Elvera became a bus driver for the Johnson-Brock Public Schools, enjoying the time she spent with the all the kids and driving them to events. She often made treats for the teams for those latenight rides home after games. She also worked at the White Horse in Johnson over the years, frying fish on Friday nights. She later worked as a cook for the Nemaha County Hospital until her retirement.
Elvera was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Auburn, where she was confirmed and married. She was baptized at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Sterling, Nebraska. Her faith was important to her, and she enjoyed attending services with her daughter, Brenda.
Those left to mourn Elvera are her children, Jon (Holly) Jenkins of Johnson, Cindy (Daniel) Fritz of Wilber and Brenda Jenkins of Eagle. Grandchildren Whitney and Andrew Sisco of Burchard, Devin and Darci Gobber, Bellevue and Tanner Gobber, Bellevue, Timothy, Jeremy, and Cassandra Fritz of Wilber. Brothers Marlin Boden and Willard (Janice) Boden of Nemaha, Bob (Delta) Boden of Auburn, brother-in-law Arnold Gobber of Elk Creek, eight great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and family friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband Fred Jenkins, parents, Herman and Rosa Boden, sisters and brothers-inlaws, Lillian (Leland) Bohling, Darlene (Dean) Volker, Orva Jean Gobber and nephew Tim Gobber.
A funeral service was held Monday, August 21st, 2023, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Auburn, officiated by Rev. Brent Berg. Sandy Wilson was the organist for congregational hymns. Casket bearers were Dan Maddox, Rich Michel, Lloyd Buchmeier, Dustin Volker, Steve Boden, and Dan Boden. Burial was in the Johnson Cemetery at Johnson.
Services were entrusted to Hemmingsen Funeral Home of Auburn.