Loretta J. Sturgis

A Funeral Service for Loretta J. Sturgis will be held on Friday, January 6, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Holdrege, Nebraska with Pastor Candance Miller officiating. Interment will follow at the Prairie Home Cemetery in Holdrege.

The Funeral Service will be live streamed via the First United Methodist Church's Facebook page. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bApqtVy4dAU or https://www.facebook.com/Firstunitedmethodistholdrege/?ref=page_internal

Loretta Jeanette Sturgis, 88 years of age, of Holdrege, passed away on Sunday, January 1, 2023, at Holdrege Memorial Homes. She was born April 4, 1934, in Harlan County, Nebraska, the third of five children born to Carl Emmanuel and Millie Belle (Schroder) Olson. Loretta received her education from Ragan Public Schools and later, Holdrege High School, graduating with the class of 1951.

On April 7, 1954, she was united in marriage to Dale Sturgis in Denver, Colorado. The couple spent their early married years in Seattle, Washington, until they returned to Holdrege. Their union was blessed with two sons: Bradley Dale and Kent Alan. Loretta worked as a bookkeeper for many area businesses through the years, including GOB, COOP Equity, Holdrege Electric and WF Anderson.  The family purchased a farm 1 ½ miles south of Holdrege, and built a beautiful farmstead where they raised their family and engaged in farming and raising cattle. Loretta was proud to have been very hands on in their farming operation. In their retirement, the couple enjoyed traveling and spending their winters in Phoenix.

Loretta was a lifetime, faithful member of the First United Methodist Church in Holdrege, where she enjoyed many bible studies and helped with church circles. She was also a dedicated member and volunteer for the American Heart Association, the Red Hat Ladies, the Service League at Phelps Memorial Hospital and numerous other organizations.

Loretta loved entertaining and hosting dinner parties for her area Supper Club. She was a wonderful cook, had a knack for decorating, and was always dressed to the nines! A highlight, was being able to entertain and cook for numerous country singers at the Phelps County Fair through the years. Loretta was skilled in ceramics and created many in her ceramic shop. The family also enjoyed hunting, fishing and going camping.

Most of all, Loretta loved her family. She was her granddaughters' biggest supporter and could always be found in the stands at a sporting event or concert. She will be remembered for witty sense of humor and her contagious smile.

Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her in-laws: LB and Florence Sturgis; three sisters: Lois Rydlund and her husband, Bill; Lucille Soneson and her husband, Gordon; and Rogene Peterson; one brother, Kenneth Olson; two brothers-in-law: Dean Sturgis; and Duane Peterson; sister-in-law, Linda Sturgis; nephew, Robert Peterson; niece, Kim Phelps; and great-nephew, Parker Sturgis.

Loretta leaves to celebrate her life; her husband, Dale Sturgis of Holdrege; sons: Brad Sturgis and his wife, Susan; and Kent Sturgis and his wife, Tammi all of Holdrege; four granddaughters: Erin Sturgis and her fiancé, Seth Plambeck of Holdrege; Erica Hueser and her husband, Jalen of Kearney, Nebraska; Kellen Sturgis of Lincoln, Nebraska; and Jolee Sturgis of Kearney; two great-grandchildren: Everly and Booker Hueser; three sisters-in-law: Marge Sturgis of Newcastle, Wyoming; Gwen (Olson) Harden; and Dorothy Peterson both of Holdrege; three brothers-in-law: Paul Peterson of Bertrand, Nebraska; Evert Sturgis and his wife, Bonita of Holdrege; and Chuck Sturgis of Holdrege;  and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, January 5, 2023, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with the family greeting from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege.

A memorial has been established in Loretta's honor and kindly suggested to the First United Methodist Church of Holdrege or the American Heart Association.

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.