Pearl I Henry

Private family memorial services for Pearl I. Henry will be held at a later date with inurnment at the Prairie Home Cemetery in Holdrege, Nebraska.

Pearl Irene Henry, 86 years of age, of Holdrege, passed away on Tuesday, March 15, 2011 at the Phelps Memorial Health Center in Holdrege. Pearl was born on May 24, 1924 at Atlanta, Nebraska, the fifth of six children born to Pete and Edith (Seadschlag) Leach. She attended church and Sunday school in Atlanta and received her education from the Atlanta Public School.

After her education, she kept house for families, first in Holdrege and then in Alma, Nebraska. During WWII, she worked at the Omaha Cold Storage at Holdrege. She was united in marriage to Marion Niles and to this union three children were born: Ronnie, Cynthia and Bonita. She lived in California for one year before moving back to Nebraska to work at Gustafson's Department Store in Oxford, Nebraska.

In 1954 she was united in marriage to Harry Maruhn of Oxford uniting their families, she became the stepmother of two children: Leroy and Lois. A son, Randy was born to this union as well. The family made their home on a farm northeast of Oxford. During this time, Pearl became a member of the St. John's Lutheran Church in Oxford and was a long time member there. She was a member of an extension club, Lutheran Ladies Aid, a 4-H Club leader for 10 years, a 23 year member of the V.F.W., and a member of the American Legion and Eagles Club.

Pearl enjoyed caring for her family, cooking, sewing, gardening, flowers, playing the piano and dancing.

Along with helping with the farm, Pearl and her husband started a well drilling business. After selling their farm, they moved into Oxford. A few years later Pearl moved to Reno, Nevada and worked at Merwyn's Department Store.

In 1977 she was united in marriage at Reno to Charles E. Henry from Wenatchee, Washington. The couple made their home in Reno, where Pearl managed a Gotchey's shoe store and owned and operated a cocktail lounge for two years. The couple then moved to Gooding, Idaho, where they purchased a Montgomery Ward store franchise. When the company closed some of their stores, the couple moved to Kent, Washington and managed a 177 apartment complex.

In 1983 when her husband retired, the couple moved to Concrete, Washington, where Pearl worked for F.O.E. #1444 and other businesses along with helping to take care of her husband's sister who had suffered a stroke. In 1995 she returned to Nebraska to be closer to her family. She always enjoyed a game of cards with her daughter, Cynthia, grandchildren and friends. The last few years she has been loved and cared for by her family including her grandchildren: Angie Ekberg, Blake and Alexis Ekberg and Craig Frink and Cheyenne Frink, along with special friends, Paul and RaDonna Dahlgren and their families.

Besides her parents, Pearl was preceded in death by her husbands; one son, Randy Maruhn; one granddaughter, Teresa Frink; two brothers: Warren and Virgil Leach and their wives; and two sisters: Marjorie Davidson and Geraldine Davidson and their husbands.

She leaves to mourn her passing one son, Ronnie Niles and his wife, Phyllis of Adams, Nebraska and their children: Shawn, Kristie, Rhonda and Faron; two daughters: Cynthia Frink of Holdrege and her children: Angie and Craig; Bonita Loper and her husband, Richard Jr. of Sun City, Arizona and their children: Brad, Brian, and Toby; daughter-in-law, Peggy Maruhn of Oxford and her children: Jared and Cole; stepson, Leroy Maruhn and his wife, Janet of Red Cloud, Nebraska; stepdaughter, Lois Bender and her husband, Darrell of Vincennes, Indiana; one great-great granddaughter, Ezibella Jones; several step-grandchildren; several great-grandchildren and step great-grandchildren; one sister, Norma Holenda and her husband, Charles of El Cajon, California; and host nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

There will be no visitation as the family is honoring her wish for cremation.

A memorial has been established in her memory and will be designated at a later date.

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

Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege is in charge of the arrangements.