Robert R. Coffey

Funeral Services for Robert R. Coffey will be conducted on Saturday, November 11, 2006 at 10:30 a.m. at the Presbyterian Church of Orleans, Nebraska with Mr. Neil Collins, officiating. Interment will be at the Orleans Cemetery.

Robert Ray Coffey, 88 years of age, of Orleans, passed away on November 7, 2006 at the Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney. He was born September 29, 1918 on a farm southwest of Stamford, Nebraska the youngest of five children born to Samuel Jay and Ethel Lenora (Thompson) Coffey. In 1919, Bob's father bought a quarter section of land just east of Orleans, Nebraska and moved his family there. Bob lived in Orleans and farmed "the home place" until his death.

Bob attended school in Orleans and graduated from Orleans High School with the class of 1936. He participated in football, basketball, track and played Baritone in the High School Band. One of his favorite stories to tell was when he ran the mile and set his personal record of 5:05 in a dust storm, on a dirt track with bad shoes. After graduating, he drove a cream truck for the Orleans Equity Creamery. In 1938, he moved to Lincoln and attended Lincoln School of Commerce, studying shorthand and typing. While in Lincoln, he worked his way through school at Wadlow's Mortuary and the old Cornhusker Hotel. During the summer of 1939, he went to Washington to pick apples and then to California to pick peas. Bob then lived in Denver, where he worked as a bus boy making $25 a week. In the fall of 1940, he moved to Odell, Nebraska and worked for his sister and her husband, Ruth and Bud Feusner. There he learned to drive a caterpillar (skin a cat) and helped Bud build roads.

On April 17th, 1942 he was drafted into the Army and became a Technician Fifth Grade with the 216th Ordinance Heavy Maintenance Company. He went to several schools, learning to work on army tanks. He also was awarded the Good Conduct Ribbon. He was honorable discharged on June 15th, 1944 and returned home to farm due to the death of his father.

On January 18, 1946 he was united in marriage to Virginia May Steadman. To this union five children were born: Anne, Janet, Bobby, Brent and Bruce. They made their home on the farm east of Orleans until they moved to town in 1972.

Bob loved farming and animals and farmed until his death. This summer he was still driving his tractor and did all the irrigating on 215 acres. He loved airplanes and learned to fly in the 1940's. One of his favorite memories was his first solo flight. He will be remembered by those who knew him as loving to visit and tell stories about the "good ole days", his good sense of humor, quick wit and mischievous smile. Bob was an avid horseracing fan and made many friends at Fonner Park and all other Nebraska racetracks.

He leaves to mourn his passing two daughters: Anne Ewing of Central City, Nebraska and Janet Swedberg of North Platte; three sons: Bobby Coffey of Scott City, Kansas, Brent Coffey and his wife, Ramona of Orleans and Bruce Coffey of Columbus, Nebraska; one sister, Ione Ronin of Lincoln, Nebraska; four sisters-in-law: Shirley Wolzen of Grand Island, Nebraska, LaVenna Jackson of Happy, Texas, Marilyn Bashford and her husband, Marvin of Manhattan, Kansas and Jackie Muir of Naponee, Nebraska; two brothers-in-law: Jim Steadman and wife, Marge of Overland Park, Kansas and Tracey Steadman and his wife, Shirley of Aurora, Colorado. He had nine granddaughters, four grandsons, eight great-granddaughters and seven great-grandsons, many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Virginia in 1995, two sisters: Lois Dake and Ruth Feusner; one brother, Rolland Coffey; one son-in-law, Kent Swedberg and grandson, Edward S. Foster.

Robert will lie in state at the Mitchell Funeral Home in Orleans on Friday, November 10, 2006 from 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with the family greeting from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Memorials are suggested to: The Orleans Swim Team, Republican Valley Livestock 4-H Club, or the Orleans Presbyterian Church.

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

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