Eileen E. Streff

A Memorial Mass for Eileen E. Streff will be held on Tuesday, January 23, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Orleans, Nebraska with Father Maurice Current as Celebrant.  The Rosary will be recited at 10:00 a.m. at the church.  Inurnment will follow at the Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Orleans.

Eileen Eleanor Haeker Streff, 98, of Alma, Nebraska, formerly of Orleans, passed away on Wednesday, January 17, 2024, at the Colonial Villa Good Samaritan in Alma.

Eileen was born on April 23, 1925, in Harlan County, Nebraska, on the family farm south of Alma. She was the oldest of two children born to Carl and Blanche (Rider) Haeker. She had a younger sister, Mildred. Upon the passing of Blanche, while the girls were quite young, Carl was united in marriage to Frieda Badenhoop, and their daughter Marvel was born.

Eileen attended country school, advancing to Alma High School, and she graduated with the class of 1943. She attended the University of Nebraska before leaving to work for the war department in Denver during the height of World War 2. Following the war, Eileen returned to Nebraska. In 1947, Eileen was united in marriage to Ernest "Nick" Streff at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Orleans, and their union was blessed with two sons, Steve and Tim.

The family made their home north of Orleans, where Nick was engaged in farming. Eileen spent many, many years as a secretary for the Orleans Creamery, Orleans School, and several area law firms. Nick and Eileen finally left their beloved farm due to age and health issues and relocated to Alma.

Eileen was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church. She was involved in several clubs and served as a Cub Scout den mother. She loved to dance and had many fond memories of "Clinks" ballroom in Alma.

Eileen was an avid reader and faithfully followed all her sons' and grandchildren's activities.

Yes, Eileen was feisty and would get "mad as deuce," but she always wore her heart on her sleeve, ready to defend those she loved and cared about.

Besides her parents, Eileen was preceded in death by her true love, Nick, and her sister, Marvel.

Eileen leaves to celebrate her life, two sons, Steve and his wife Betty of Kearney, and Tim and his wife, Margaret of Omaha, four grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, her sister, Mildred Calkins of Alma, and a host of other relatives and friends.

There will be no visitation. The family is honoring her request for cremation.

A memorial has been established in Eileen's honor and kindly suggested to the Harlan County Health System Foundation.

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

The Bauer-Torrey & Mach Funeral Home in Alma is in charge of the arrangements.