Marian E. Barnes

Funeral Services for Marian E. Barnes will be conducted on Friday, October 3, 2014, at 2:00 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in Holdrege, Nebraska with Rev. Dr. W. Kirwin Stewart, Jr. officiating. Interment will be held following the services at the Fridhem Cemetery at Funk, Nebraska.

Marian Elinore Barnes, 91 years of age, of Holdrege, passed away on Monday, September 29, 2014, at Holdrege Memorial Homes. Marian was born on May 2, 1923, in Funk, the eldest of five children born to Carl and Ellen (Larson) Akerson. She received her primary education from District #18 rural school in Phelps County, Nebraska and then attended Holdrege High School, graduating with the class of 1941.


On February 1, 1947, she was united in marriage to Clifford H. Barnes at Belleville, Kansas and to this union one son, Michael Dennis, was born. The family made their home in Grand Island, Nebraska, while Clifford was in Business College. Marian was employed at the Ordnance Plant and then worked as a legal secretary at Suhr-Pierce & Kronin while Clifford was in school. Following Clifford's graduation, the family moved to Lakewood, Colorado. Marian managed "Babyland" a retail store for many years until Clifford retired from the U.S. Postal Service in 1975, when the family relocated to Holdrege. After returning to Phelps County, Marian continued her career as a legal secretary at the Law Firm of Tringe and Illingworth, until her retirement. With her love of flowers, she was also employed by Holdrege Floral for many years.

Marian was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Holdrege. She had a passion and love for gardening and her flowers. Marian also took interest and collected Chinese Art and Pottery after her son, Mike wrote a book with author, Ronald Longsdorf.

Besides her parents, Marian was preceded in death by her son, Michael on January 22, 1993; sister, Delores Hadenfelt and her husband, Don; brother-in-law, Ronald Pokorney; sister-in-law, Irene Teng and her husband, Raymond; and niece, Trudy Pokorney.

She leaves to mourn her passing; her husband of 67 years, Clifford Barnes of Holdrege; two sisters: Caroline Bigley and her husband, Robert of Denver, Colorado and Lois Pokorney of Lakewood, Colorado; brother, Dennis Akerson and his wife, Bettie of Holdrege; along with a host of nieces, nephews, other dear relatives and friends.

Visitation will be held Thursday, October 2, 2014, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege.


A memorial has been established in Marian's honor and kindly suggested to the Phelps County Community Foundation.


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 arrangements.