Betty L Eby

Memorial services for Betty Lou Eby will be held on Monday, February 22, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at Trinity Evangelical Free Church in Holdrege, Nebraska with Pastor Murray Jones officiating. A private family internment will be held at a later date at the Edison Cemetery at Edison, Nebraska.

Betty Lou Eby, 89 years of age of Holdrege, Nebraska (formerly of Oxford, Nebraska) died peacefully on Valentine's Day, February 14, 2016 at the Bertrand Nursing Home in Bertrand, Nebraska surrounded by her family—one day following her 90th birthday celebration. Betty was born March 10, 1926 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the only child born to Ralph and Waneeta (Omstead) Snider. At a young age, her mother remarried, Jack Mathis, who became a loving father figure to Betty.

When Betty was young she traveled throughout the United Sates with her parents who were professional Dixieland Jazz Musicians. Jack, a trumpet player and Waneeta, a well-known piano player, were both respected in the jazz community. During this time she received her education, attending 16 different schools across the country.

On September 6, 1942, Betty was united in marriage to Ira Newton Eby of Edison. Newt, who was a jazz drummer, had recently joined her parents' band, "The Jack Mathis Jive Five." To this union three children were born: Ivan Newton, Juanita Marie and Les Lee Raymond. The family made their home in Oxford, where Betty focused on being a wife and caring for her family.

As her family grew she began a 40-year career in nursing. During this time she received her credentials as a Licensed Practical Nurse. While living in Oxford, she worked at the Oxford Hospital and Brewster Hospital in Holdrege.

After the death of her husband, Newt, on June, 2, 1968, she moved to Holdrege where she was employed by the Family Medical Clinic and Phelps Memorial Hospital until her retirement.

Betty was actively involved in choir and children's ministries at the United Methodist Church in Oxford and enjoyed being a Cub Scout and Girl Scout Troop leader. Betty was also a member of Trinity Evangelical Free Church, in Holdrege where she started the tape ministry, which continues to this day. She was a talented artist of pastel portraits, a genealogy enthusiast, an avid ice skating fan and was computer savvy. She was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother and had a special gift of celebrating life's circumstances with a positive heart; never missing an opportunity to encourage whomever she was with, be it a stranger or a friend.

Besides her husband and parents, Betty was preceded in death by her beloved father-in-law and mother-in-law, Leslie and Mae Eby.

Betty leaves to celebrate her life; three children: Newt Eby and his wife, Sally of Billings, Montana, Juanita Lyon and her husband, Ronald of Holdrege and Less Eby of Albion, Nebraska; a daughter-in-law, Vicki Eby of Waco, Texas; 11 grandchildren: Shelly Hinz, Christie Butz and her husband, Bill, Angela Temple and John Temple, Gary Newton Eby and his wife, Rhonda, Ginger Breinig and her husband, Randy, Sarah Davis and her husband, Branden, Kevin Eby, Phillip Eby and his wife, Logan, Hannah Eby, Chris Bogert and his wife, Elizabeth, and Monica Garcia and her husband, Raffa; 23 great-grandchildren: Alec, Elizabeth, and Jessica Hinz; Lauren, Natalynn, Caitlyn Mae and Ellianna Lou Butz; Zachary Temple; Jacob and Elizabeth Eby; Audrey, Shannon, Connor, Meredith, and Natalie Breinig; Aleah Davis; Clay, Sam, Erica, and Sabrynn Bogert; and Raphel, Felix and Carmella Garcia; and a host of other relatives and friends.

A memorial book signing will be on Sunday, February 21, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. with the family greeting from 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege.

A memorial has been established in Betty's honor and will be designated later.

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 arrangements.