Lola M. Hawley

A funeral service for Lola M. Hawley will be held on Monday, December 30, 2024, at 2:30 p.m. at the Republican City United Methodist Church in Republican City, Nebraska with Pastor Seong Lee officiating. Interment will follow at the Alma Cemetery.

Lola Mae Hawley, 99 years of age, of Alma, Nebraska, passed away, on Tuesday, December 24, 2024, at CHI Health Good Samaritan – Colonial Villa. Lola was born in Mullally Township of Harlan County, Nebraska on March 4, 1925, the youngest of three children, born to Robert Arnold and Matilda "Tillie" (Mullally) Ott.

Lola was baptized as an infant and confirmed as a young adult at St. Paul's Lutheran Church north of Republican City, Nebraska. Lola became a member of the Republican City United Methodist Church till her death. Lola attended the Sindt Rural School District #14 in Franklin County and high school at Naponee, Nebraska graduating with the class of 1942. While in high school she stayed in Naponee at the Henry and Mary Graf Boarding House. She continued her education in Lincoln, Nebraska to study bookkeeping at the Lincoln School of Commerce.

Lola returned to Alma after receiving her business degree and worked at Harlan County Bank. She worked at Mead Ordinance Plant while living in Fremont, Nebraska. While living in Republican City, Lola worked at the Commercial State Bank, Champlin Service Station, Republican City School, and Farmers Coop.

On August 28, 1946, Lola was united in marriage to Robert L. "Bob" Hawley at her parent's home in Alma. To this union, three sons were born: Ronald Lynn, Ryan Lee, and Richard Leon. The couple made their home in Fremont, Nebraska, Alma, and Republican City. Together, they enjoyed attending the Rural Mail Carriers Conventions. Lola and Bob were happily married for 27 years until his death on December 30, 1973, of a sudden heart attack. Lola and her three boys continued to live in Republican City.

On March 4, 1990, Lola married Harold Butterfield. They enjoyed gardening and traveling to Army Air Corps conventions until his death in 1991.

Lola enjoyed Husker games, playing cards, attending grandkids' ball games and programs, church activities, and family gatherings.

She was a member of the Rural Letter Carriers Auxiliary for over 60 years, a lifetime member of the American Legion Auxiliary, the IMP Club, and was the last original member of the Alpha Sigma Phi Sorority of Alma.

Lola was preceded in death by her mother, Tillie Ott in 1961; her father, Robert Ott in 1982; two brothers: Elmer (Dorothy) Ott in 1990; Harold (Phyllis) Ott in 1999; her husbands: Robert Hawley in 1973; and Harold Butterfield in 1991; father-in-law, Carl Hawley in 1960; mother-in-law, Gladys Hawley in 2006; daughter-in-law, Jeanne Hawley in 2006; and three brothers-in-law: Chester (Donna) Hawley; Dick Hawley; and John (Betty) Hawley.

Lola is survived by her three sons: Ronald (JoAnn) Hawley of Naponee; Ryan (JoJo) Hawley of Alma; Richard (Donna) Hawley of Lincoln; eight grandchildren: Tonja (Bob) King of Republican City; Debra (Tony) Smolik of Alma; Jason (Chandra) Hawley of Aurora, Nebraska; Erin (Jon) Sevier of Boise, Idaho; Becky (Barry) Finlayson of Washington, Kansas; Matt (Celeste) Hawley of Hastings, Nebraska; Cody (Stacie) Hawley of Lincoln; Caleb (Amanda) Hawley of Waverly, Nebraska; 14 great-grandchildren; one sister-in-law, Iona Hawley of Lincoln; and two first cousins: Pat Ott Thorell of Lincoln; Shirley (Ron) Puls of Omaha, Nebraska. Lola Mae will be deeply missed by them all, including her nieces and nephews, other relatives, and friends.

A visitation will be held on Sunday, December 29, 2024, from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. with family present at the Republican City United Methodist Church in Republican City.

A memorial has been established in Lola'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 Bauer-Torrey & Mach Funeral Home in Alma is in charge of the arrangements.