Edith Ann Sims

Funeral Services for Edith Ann Sims will be held on Saturday, January 18, 2020, at 10:30 a.m. at the Huntley United Methodist Church in Huntley, Nebraska with Pastor Murray Jones officiating.  Interment will follow at the Alma Cemetery, Alma, Nebraska.

Edith Ann Sims, 95 years of age, of Holdrege, Nebraska, (formerly of Huntley) passed away on Saturday, January 11, 2020, at Holdrege Memorial Homes.  Edith Ann was born on October 1, 1924, on the family farm north of Alma in Harlan County, Nebraska, the youngest of three daughters of Edwin A. and Amanda C. (Nelson) Larson.

She received her education from Huntley Public School, where she graduated from Huntley High School with the class of 1942.  Following her education, Edith Ann was employed by the Orleans Equity Creamery as a secretary.  She later accepted a position at the Brewster Medical Clinic in Holdrege as the administrative secretary.

On June 1, 1947, she was united in marriage to her high school sweetheart, Virgil Lee Sims, at the Bethel Lutheran Church in Holdrege.  To this union three daughters were born: Rita Jean, Kathryn Anne, and Cynthia Lee.  The couple made their home on the family farm west of Huntley.  During this time in her life, Edith Ann focused her efforts as a homemaker, mother, and farmwife.  She enjoyed serving harvest meals to the men in the field and would assist on the farm in any way helpful.  She was involved throughout the years as a 4-H leader; belonged to the DDD Card Club for many years; was employed and also gathered the Huntley news for the KUVR radio station in Holdrege; and sang in the Harlan County Barbershop Chorus.

Virgil and Edith Ann moved off the farm and into Holdrege in 1987.  On November 7, 2016, she was preceded in death by her loving husband Virgil after nearly 70 years of marriage.

She was a devoted member of the Huntley United Methodist Church, where she served in many capacities that included:  teaching Bible school and Sunday school; sang in the church choir; and was active with the United Methodist Women.

Edith Ann was proud of her Swedish heritage.  Remaining in contact with her Swedish relatives was important to her during her entire life.  She was an accomplished seamstress, loved to listen to music, and enjoyed playing the piano.  She and Virgil also loved to attend dances together; a memorable occasion was taking their daughters to Clarinda, Iowa, to attend a Glenn Miller Band festival together.  After retirement they traveled extensively throughout the United States and abroad.  When grandchildren came along, she and Virgil thoroughly enjoyed attending their activities.

Besides her parents; and husband, Virgil; Edith Ann was preceded in death by four great-grandchildren: Owen, Clara and Sophia Skiles, and August Skiles-Nitchie; two sisters:  Ellen Medinger and her husband, Merlin; and Mildred Malone and her husband, Melvin; brothers-in-law: Harold Sims; and Don Sims; and sister-in-law, Norma Waggoner and husband, Tom.

Edith Ann leaves to celebrate her life; her three daughters: Rita Skiles and her husband, Brad of Huntley; Kathy Dobesh and her husband, Dale of Ansley, Nebraska; and Cindy Pille and her husband, Vince of Ashland, Nebraska;  nine grandchildren:  Mark Skiles and his wife, Nicol; Brent Skiles and his wife, Amanda; Andrea Skiles-Nitchie and her husband, Jason Nitchie; Anne McCaslin and her husband, Thomas; Julia Bauer and her husband, Alex; Janae Robinson and her husband, Jim; Celeste Pille; Grant Pille; and Gretchen Pille; fifteen great-grandchildren: Gavin, Peyton, Taylor, Olivia, Harrison and Norah Skiles; Clemens, Ada, Sylvester, Olive and Liza Skiles-Nitchie; Kenna and Halle McCaslin, and Edith Ann and Willa Robinson; one brother-in-law, Gary Sims and his wife, Renetta of Kearney, Nebraska; one sister-in-law, Judy Sims of Alma; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Visitation will be held on Friday, January 17, 2020, from 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. with the family greeting from 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege.

A memorial has been established in Edith Ann's honor and kindly suggested to the family for later designation.

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.