Earlene A. (Kennedy) Jeffery

Earlene Jeffery, 88, passed away peacefully at the Heritage of Red Cloud, on September 18, 2023. Funeral services will be held at Northbranch Friends Church, Saturday, September 23, at 10:30 am. Daughter of Earl and Lola (Moore) Kennedy, she was born on November 22, 1934 in Parsons, Kansas.

Her family moved to Wichita, KS when she was very young. She graduated from North High School. She attended Friends University where she met her future husband, Maurice Jeffery. Their lockers were in alphabetical order right next to each other. Earlene then transferred to KU medical school in Kansas City, where she trained to become a registered nurse. Maurice was drafted into the army and came home on furlough to get married on June 26, 1955. Maurice then returned to Albuquerque, NM, where he was stationed. Earlene remembers calling Maurice to see if it would be okay if she spent $10 to buy a fan, as it was a very hot summer in Kansas City. She also talked about all the letters she and Maurice would write to each other during their time of separation. They lived in Kansas City for a time while she completed her schooling. Earlene graduated from Kansas University in 1957. The couple then moved to the family farm near Northbranch, KS. Earlene worked as a surgical nurse for many years in Red Cloud, NE, and later at Mary Lanning Hospital in Hastings, NE. She was a dedicated and talented nurse and developed many close relationships with her coworkers. During these years she raised a family and loved her life as a farm wife and mother. She went to all of her children’s activities and prepared delicious meals to take to the field during wheat harvest.

Earlene was devoted to her husband, children and Northbranch Friends Church where she taught Sunday School and served in many other capacities. She especially loved music and singing with the ladies’ trio at church. After she and Maurice moved to Superior, NE, she joined the Farmerettes singing choir. Earlene had a passion for missionary work and supported missionaries in any way she could. She was privileged to go on a mission trip to Nepal where she enjoyed seeing Mt. Everest and being with her missionary friends. Earlene and Maurice loved traveling throughout their marriage. Their favorite place was Hawaii, where they made numerous trips. The entire family went with them on the occasion of their 50th wedding anniversary. In 2021, she and Maurice moved to Kingswood Court Assisted Living, and she later moved to the Heritage of Red Cloud in March 2023. Even as multiple myeloma and dementia weakened her, she continued to profess her love for Christ and her desire for Heaven.

Preceding her in death were her parents, mother and father-in law, Lewis and Esther Jeffery, brother in- law, Herb Jeffery, and brother, Earl Kennedy Jr. in childhood.

Earlene is survived by her husband, Maurice, as well as her children Susan (Steve) Janda of Guide Rock, NE; Rebecca (Kevin) Pihl of Lindsborg, KS; Brad (Colleen) Jeffery of Burr Oak, KS. Grandchildren, Shannon and Mark Stahlnecker, Axel and Liam of Murrieta, CA; Scott and Christina Jeffery, Brynlee and Hazel of Mankato, KS; Amber Janda, Elijah and Coraline of Haysville, KS; Luke Sholtz, Josiah and Juliet of Lakin, KS; Lauren and Caleb Frasier, Jayden, Jaxson, and Jordon of Augusta, KS; Cody and Shaylee Janda and Hank of Doniphan, NE; Keith and Kaela Janda, Weston and Everett of Vacaville, CA; Maggie and Nate Ginest, Breckyn and Kaiser of Lindsborg, KS; Kelly and Kellee Pihl and Asher and soon to be born Baby Girl Pihl of Lindsborg, Kansas; Lexi (Aric) Horn of Bel Aire, Kansas; sister, Mary Jane Kennedy of Kansas City, KS and sister-in-law, Rosetta Jeffery of Wichita, nephew, Arlen (Penny) Jeffery and niece Teri (Steve) Price.

Funeral services will be Saturday, 10:30 am, September 23, 2023, at the Northbranch Friends Church in Northbranch, Kansas. Interment will be at the Northbranch Cemetery.

Visitation will be Friday, 8:00 am - 8:00 pm with the family present from 5:00 - 7:00 pm, and Saturday, 8:00 am to service time at the church.

Memorials are suggested to the Northbranch Friends Church.

Williams Funeral Home
241 West 4th Avenue
Red Cloud, Nebraska  68970

Phone 402-746-2500
williamsfuneralhomes@yahoo.com

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