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Vera Lucille Gardner Duerfeldt

1915-2017

Vera Lucille Gardner Duerfeldt, 101 years of age, of Nemaha, passed away Wednesday, January 18, 2017 at the Good Samaritan Society in Auburn. She was born on October 10, 1915 in Bigelow, Missouri to Harry and Tracy (Smith) Larson. Vera attended and graduated from the Little Cottonwood Country School and then went onto Bigelow High School.

Rex Gardner and Vera were married in Mound City, Missouri on Oct. 20, 1932. They lived in Bigelow, then moved to Craig, Missouri, Hamburg, Iowa and finally Nemaha, Nebraska. Born to this marriage were Gary, Ronald and Janice. Patrick was later adopted. It was in Nemaha that Rex and Vera started farming and there that Rex passed away at the age of 60.

After five years alone, Vera married Delbert Duerfeldt. Delbert passed away after seven years of marriage. Vera grew up on the farm during the Great Depression. While raising her family on the farm west of Nemaha, there were cows to milk, chickens to be fed (many butchered and sold), eggs to gather, butter, cream and cottage cheese to be made and sold and vegetables from a large garden to can or freeze. Her work in the church and attendance was never slighted, nor was any community work. She was also a faithful Rebekah lodge member, holding every office and a 60-year member. With the family grown, Vera pursued her love of flowers and gardening. There was always something blooming in her yard and garden. She took many prizes at flower shows at the County Fairs and shared her plants with anyone who wanted them. Vera was also mindful of community needs. She was one of a group working to attain a Senior Citizens Bus to be used in transporting elderly for shopping, doctor appointments or visiting. Vera was also a member of the Good Samaritan Board for seven years and enjoyed this as it gave her the opportunity to see and visit with many of her friends there. She was also involved in building an assisted living facility in Auburn.

Vera is survived by a daughter, Janice Shannon and husband Ron of Corpus Christi, Texas; son, Patrick Gardner and wife Chris of Lincoln; step-daughter, Velree Lilja and husband Richard of Lincoln; two daughters-in-law, Wanda Gardner of Auburn, Carol Johnson of Eugene, Oregon; grandchildren, Rick Gardner and wife Barbara, Kim Zierke and husband Don, Veronica Gardner O’Neill, Rhonda Miller and husband David, Tracey Mitchell and husband John Osgood, James Courtney and wife Denise, Jill Bohlen husband Matt, Mike Lilja and wife Sherri, Mark Lilja, Jennifer Anderson; great grandchildren, Gabe Gardner and wife Debra, Richelle Gardner, Hanna Quiring and husband Ryan, Haley Maxson and husband Ryan, Hope Kieler and husband Quentin, Stormee Myatt, Kamon Beach, Parker Ryding, Jayden Fox, Justin Mitchell, Bailey Gardner, Caty Driewer and husband David, Heather Courtney, Monica Courtney, Katrina Ceremelli and husband Brandon, Sarah Bohlen, Amy Bohlen, Heather Lilja; and great great grandchildren, Carly Gardner, Nolan Gardner, Irelynn Quiring, Brooks Quiring, Reagan Gerdes, Joseph Ceremelli, Presley Kieler.

She was preceded in death by her parents; first husband, Rex Gardner; second husband, Delbert Duerfeldt; two sons, Gary and Ron Gardner; two sisters, Doris Dick, Naomi Larson; and three brothers, Dale, Thatcher and George Larson.

Funeral services were held Monday, January 23, 2017 in the Nemaha United Methodist Church in Nemaha with Pastors Bob Heusman and Paul Weinert officiating. Interment was in the Nemaha Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Nemaha United Methodist Church or the Nemaha Rescue Squad in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be left online at www.hallfuneral.net.

Hall Funeral Chapel in Auburn in charge of arrangements.

Nemaha County Herald

PO Box 250
Auburn, NE 68305
PH: (402) 274-3185
FAX: (402) 274-3273

Vera Lucille Gardner Duerfeldt | The Nemaha County Herald

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