Lelah L. Coady

Funeral Services for Lelah L. Coady will be conducted from the Presbyterian Church in Orleans, Nebraska on Saturday, December 29, 2012 at 2:30 p.m. with Pastor Dave Irwin officiating. Interment will be held at the Orleans Cemetery at Orleans.

Lelah L. Coady, 95 years of age of Alma, Nebraska (formerly of Orleans) went to be with her Lord on Wednesday, December 26, 2012. She was born September 30, 1917 south west of Ragan, Nebraska, the second of six children, to Leonard Carl and Matilda Mimi (Jones) Gustafson. On September 17, 1938 she married the love of her life, Clair Coady.

This union was blessed with six children, Carla Rae (Felix) Scopacasa of St. Charles, Illinois, Len (Judy) of Norton, Kansas, Robert, Mary (Tad) Coady-Leeper, of Ralston, Nebraska, Douglas of the home, and Jana Coady (Mark Borke) of Superior, Colorado.

She spent her life as a devoted wife, mother, educator and business manager. Lelah attended grade and high school at Ragan and Huntley, Nebraska graduating in 1934. She enrolled in Kearney State Teachers College and received a teaching certificate after two years. She entered the teaching profession in a country school called Cracker Box near Ragan, and Pleasant View near Wilcox. She also taught at the Mascot schools from 1947 to 1949 at which time she devoted her time to raising her family on the farm near Orleans. She also handled the business matters for the farm and later the books for her mother's rest home, Lake View Rest Home in Alma.

In 1965, at the age of 48, she resumed her pursuit of a college degree, and graduated with a degree in business education. Her second teaching career began at Orleans as a librarian, and English and Business teacher. She was proud of being a teacher, and having all of her children, except Len, as a student. She retired in 1983, but wasn't ready to quit, so Lelah accepted a two-year stint as Librarian at the Beaver City High School.

Lelah was a great cook, and hosted many holiday dinners. She also loved music and playing the piano. She was proud to be a member of the Presbyterian Church in Orleans since 1943. She was a member of the Presbyterian Women's group, and the Pleasant Ridge extension club and enjoyed her time playing dominos with her friends in the Domino Club.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Matilda and Leonard; her husband, Clair; and her son Robert. She lost a brother, Stanley and sister, Laura in infancy; and two sisters she was very fond of: Twyla Gillespie and Verna Mae Modar.

Left to celebrate her life are the families of her children: Carla, Len, Mary, Doug and Jana; her brother and sister-in-law, John and Jean Gustafson of Holdrege, Nebraska; grandchildren: Felix V. Scopacasa, Clarice Foland, Jill Pratt, Julie Leiker, Elizabeth Leeper, Abigail Leeper, Elissa Wartell, and Katie Wartell; and she was also blessed with seven great-grand children; and one great, great-grandchild.

Visitation will be held on Friday, December 28, 2012 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with the family greeting friends from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Mitchell Funeral Home in Orleans.

A memorial has been established in her memory and kindly suggested to the Presbyterian Church.

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

The Mitchell Funeral Home in Orleans is in charge of arrangements.