Kay J. Berry

Funeral Services for Kay J. Berry will be conducted from the Bethel Lutheran Church in Holdrege, Nebraska on Saturday, June 9, 2007 at 10:30 a.m. with Reverend David Sites and Darrel Wissmann, PMA officiating. Interment will be in the Prairie Home Cemetery at Holdrege.

Kay Janeen Berry, 70 years of age, of Holdrege, Nebraska, passed away on Thursday, June 7, 2007 at the Phelps Memorial Health Center in Holdrege. Kay was born July 14, 1936 at Holdrege, the second of three children of William and Irene (Larson) Gorman. She was baptized on July 10, 1937 by Pastor Christensen at the Bethel Lutheran Church in Holdrege. She received her primary education at District # 34 southwest of Holdrege until the family moved six miles south of Holdrege. Kay then attended District # 56 and later the Holdrege Public Schools. During her school years, she was involved in music, 4-H and the Campfire Girls. Kay also enjoyed riding horses and participated in many parades with her father in the Saddle Club.

On April 20, 1952 she was united in marriage to Dean L. Berry of Holdrege by Pastor E.K. Nelson at the home of her parents. To this union three children were born: Rodney Dean, Sheryl Kay and Kim Alan. The family made their home in Holdrege, where Kay was employed as a bookkeeper for several years and later worked for Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District for 28 years in Payroll Accounting until her retirement in 1998.

She was active through the years with Band Mothers, was a 4-H Leader, member of Mrs. Jaycees, volunteered with Meals-On-Wheels, served on the Phelps Memorial Service League, Red Cross Blood Mobile and Fireman's Auxiliary. Kay was a lifelong member of the Bethel Lutheran Church, where she was active with the church circle, serving as chairwoman for several years and on the Memorial Committee and sang in the family choir. First and foremost in her life was her family, especially spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and attending all their activities.

She leaves to mourn her passing her husband, Dean of Holdrege; two sons: Rodney Berry and his wife, Maxine of Loomis, Nebraska and Kim Berry and his wife, Jill of Cincinnati, Ohio; one daughter, Sheryl Olson and her husband, Kenny of Holdrege; seven grandchildren: Nicole Mattson and her husband, Aaron; Camela Berry all of Holdrege; Allison Perry and her husband, Adam of Loomis; Brent Olson of Holdrege; Angie Olson of Kearney, Nebraska; Chelsea and Derek Berry both of Cincinnati; two great-grandchildren: Aidan Perry of Loomis and Olivia Mattson of Holdrege; one sister, Marlys Brand and her husband, Dale of Holdrege; and a host of brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents and one brother, Don Gary Gorman in infancy.
Kay will lie in state at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege on Friday, June 8, 2007 from 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. with the family greeting from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

A memorial has been established in her memory.

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.