Betty Jean (B.J.) Luther

A Memorial Mass for Betty Jean (B.J.) Luther will be held on Wednesday, April 4, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. at the All Saints Catholic Church in Holdrege, Nebraska with Father Thomas Lux officiating. A private family inurnment will be held prior to services at the Prairie Home Cemetery at Holdrege.

Betty Jean Luther, 91 years of age, of Holdrege, passed away on Thursday, March 29, 2018 at the Christian Homes Care Community in Holdrege. B.J. was born July 9, 1926, on the family farm north of Holdrege, in Phelps County, the eldest of four children born to Bert C. and Virginia B. (Garner) Carlson. She received her primary school from Rosehill District School in rural Phelps County, and then attended Holdrege High School, graduating with the class of 1942. She then pursued higher education at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln.

On February 7, 1948, she was united in marriage to Raymond Walter Luther at Holdrege, and to this union seven children were born: Teresa, Mary, Linda, Karen, Dana, Tom and Connie. The family made their home in Holdrege, where B.J. focused on providing a loving home for her family. In 1949, Ray and B.J. purchased and operated the Luther family business; Luther Locker and Packing Company. In 1978, when they sold the business, B.J. began a long career as the office manager for Farm Bureau. She retired in 2001, after 22 years. On October 24, 2013, she was preceded in death by Ray.

B.J. was a member of the All Saints Catholic Church, and enjoyed many friendships formed through her involvement in the Altar Society. B.J. enjoyed playing cards, especially Bridge, attending Birthday Club, and was an avid golfer. But most importantly, she loved attending all of her grandchildren's activities.

Besides her parents and husband, Ray; she was preceded in death by a daughter, Mary Kathryn who was born at rest; son-in-law, Art Langvardt; two brothers: Billy Carlson and Rodney Carlson and his wife, Imogene; sister, Patty Connor; brothers-in-law: Bud Luther and his wife, Elaine; Donald Luther and his wife, Louisa; and Charles Luther; Larry Cummings; and Bill Needham; sisters-in-law: Evelyn Ferree and her husband, Jay; Mary Luther at the age of two; Dorothy Luther at the age of one; and Wilma Hoppe and her husband, Ed.

She leaves to celebrate her life; her five daughters: Teresa Luther of Doniphan, Nebraska; Linda Imel and her husband, Kyle of Holdrege; Karen Benjamin and her husband, Steve of Sun City West, Arizona; Dana Kness and her husband, Stephen of Holdrege; and Connie Florell and her husband, Randy of Colorado Springs, Colorado; one son, Tom Luther of Lincoln, Nebraska; ten grandchildren: Stephanie Noble and her husband, Dan; Matt Benjamin and his wife, Mandy; Cody Benjamin and his wife, Tucker; Kelly Carden and her husband, Tim; Kelsie O'Brien and her husband, Aaron; Kim Hemmer and her husband, Jake; Kristen Schwarz and her husband, Chris; Jarad Kness and his wife, Courtney; Jessica Feilmeier and her husband, Ben; and Jordan Florell; 20 great-grandchildren; brother-in-law, Robert Luther and his wife, Jennifer of Coronado, California; sisters-in-law: Virginia Needham of Phoenix, Arizona; Jean Cummings of Colorado Springs; and Kathryn Luther of Phoenix; and a host of other relatives and friends.

A Memorial Book Signing will be held on Tuesday, April 3, 2018 from 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. with the family greeting from 5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege. A rosary will be recited at 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

A memorial has been established in B.J.'s honor, and kindly suggested to the All Saints Catholic Church; Christian Homes Care Community; or the Holdrege Public Schools Foundation.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com

The Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege is in charge of the arrangements.