Douglas M Lilyhorn

Celebration of Life Service for Douglas M. Lilyhorn, 77 years of age, of Bertrand, Nebraska, will be held on Friday, June 26, 2015 at 10:30 a.m. at the Hope Lutheran Church in rural Smithfield, Nebraska with Pastor Tim Glendening officiating. Inurnment will follow at the Hope Lutheran Cemetery.

Douglas Mac Lilyhorn, 77 years of age, of Bertrand, Nebraska, passed away on Monday, May 4, 2015 at the CHI Health Good Samaritan in Kearney, Nebraska.  Douglas was born September 14, 1937 in Holdrege, Nebraska, the youngest of four sons born to Henry Harlan Lilyhorn, Sr. and Mary M. (Smith) Lilyhorn.  He received his primary education from District #21 Star School and then graduated from Bertrand High School.

On December 2, 1955 he was united in marriage to Joan L. Bunsen at the Hope Lutheran Church in rural Smithfield, Nebraska and to this union five children were born:  Michael, Cheryl, Daniel, Karen, and Tara. The family made their home on a farm north of Bertrand, where Doug engaged in farming and enjoyed the labor of the land.

Besides his passion for farming, Doug thoroughly loved attending his grandchildren's activities.  He also enjoyed acquiring a large collection of toy tractors.  He was a member of the Hope Lutheran Church, where he served in several capacities throughout the years.  Doug also served on the rural Fire Board at Bertrand, where he was president for many years, and past member of the Board of Directors of the FSA in Holdrege.  He was also a member of the Elks Lodge, and enjoyed pinochle club and bowling for many years where many friendship bonds were formed.

Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by three children:  Michael on December 18, 1967 at age 11, and Daniel on February 23, 1959 and Tara on March 10, 1970 both in infancy; two brothers:  Jack Lilyhorn and his wife, Hazel and Harlan Lilyhorn, Jr.; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Eugene and Wilma Hanson and sister-in-law, Christine Bunsen.

Doug leaves to mourn his passing; his wife of 59 years, Joan Lilyhorn of Bertrand; two daughters:  Cheryl Junkin and her husband, Neil of Kearney, Nebraska and Karen Lundy and her husband, Rick of Bertrand; 7 grandchildren:  Jennifer Weikel and her husband, Gary, Natalie Hagan and her husband, Shawn, Jessica Junkin and her fiancé, Brandon Applewhite, Sr., Alysia Kuck and her husband, Troy, Dekota Lundy, Riquella Lundy, and Jimmy Lundy and his wife, Heather; 15 great-grandchildren; one brother, Jay Lilyhorn and his wife, Joy of Holdrege; sister-in-law, Mary Louise Lilyhorn of Holdrege; brother-in-law, Dale Bunsen of Omaha, Nebraska; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Visitation was held on Friday, May 8, 2015 at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege, from 1:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. with the family greeting friends from 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

A memorial has been established in Doug's honor and kindly suggested to the Hope Lutheran Church or the Bertrand Fire and Rescue.

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.