Cornelia M. Vaughn

Funeral Services for Cornelia M. Vaughn will be conducted from the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Bertrand, Nebraska on Wednesday, January 2, 2008 at 10:30 a.m. with Pastor Gary Panko, officiating. Interment will be in the Immanuel Cemetery north of Bertrand.

Cornelia Maybell Ruth Vaughn, 92 years of age, of Holdrege, Nebraska (formerly of Bertrand) passed away on Saturday, December 29, 2007 at Christian Homes in Holdrege. Cornelia was born May 1, 1915 on the family farm north of Bertrand in Phelps County, Nebraska, the second of three children born to Axel Wilhelm "Willie" Peterson and Emma Coria (Smith) Peterson. She was baptized on May 30, 1915 into Westlanda (now Immanuel) Lutheran Church in Bertrand, and was confirmed May 11, 1930. Cornelia received her primary education in country school two miles north of Bertrand and often rode horseback or walked to school. She then graduated from Bertrand High School with the class of 1932.

On April 16, 1939 she was united in marriage to Kenneth Philip Vaughn and to this union four children were born: Karen, Kathleen, Kenneth Stanley and Joy. The couple made their home on the farm northeast of Bertrand until 1976 when Kenneth retired from farming. They moved into Bertrand and constructed a new home in 1977. On June 11, 1990, she was preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth. Cornelia continued to live in this home until 2006 when she made her home at Christian Homes in Holdrege. She loved tending her garden and flowers, reading in her spare time, listening to music, and spending time with her family.

At the time of her passing, Cornelia was the eldest living member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, where she was active through the years as Sunday school teacher, choir member and quilter. She also enjoyed Bible study until her passing.

She leaves to mourn her passing four children: Karen Burgeson and husband, John of Ft. Collins, Colorado, Kathleen Laaker and husband, Leroy of Arlington, Nebraska, Stan Vaughn and wife, Connie of Bertrand and Joy Bennett and husband, Larry of Bertrand; 14 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; 2 foster great-grandchildren; one brother, Elvin Peterson and his wife, Patty of Bertrand; sisters-in-law, Aline Lindstrom of Holdrege and Alberta Vaughn of Omaha, Nebraska; brother-in-law, Lee Vaughn and his wife, Ruth of Kearney, Nebraska; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Besides Cornelia's husband, Kenneth she was preceded in death by her parents; one sister, Elthea Hansen and husband, Ed; brothers-in-law, George Lindstrom and Irving Vaughn and sister-in-law, Mildred Vaughn.

Cornelia will lie in state at the Sandstrom Funeral Home in Bertrand, on Tuesday, January 1, 2008 from 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. The family greeting from 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

A memorial has been established in her memory and suggested to the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Bertrand.

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

The Sandstrom Funeral Home in Bertrand is in charge of arrangements.