Sally Massey

Celebration of Life Service for Marietta E. "Sally" Massey will be held on Thursday, March 5, 2020, at 10:30 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Holdrege, Nebraska with Pastor Nora Mendyk officiating.  Eastern Star rites will be held at the conclusion of the services.  Interment will be held in the Prairie Home Cemetery in Holdrege.

Marietta Elizabeth "Sally" Massey, 99 years of age, of Holdrege, passed away on Sunday, March 1, 2020, at the Christian Homes Care Community in Holdrege.  Sally was born in a dugout house on July 24, 1920, on the family farm south of Holdrege in Harlan County, Nebraska, the eldest of two daughters to Clifford B. and Elva G. (Hodge) Rawson after her dad had returned from WWI.  Sally grew up on a farm northeast of Orleans, and helped her parents with planting, harvesting and taking care of the farm.  She received her primary education from District #19, and District #45 in Harlan County, and then graduated from Atlanta High School with the class of 1938 in Atlanta, Nebraska.  On October 28, 1939, she was united in marriage to Paul (Swede) Garrison.  On October 14, 1958, she was preceded in death by her husband, Swede.  She often reminisced about how their delayed honeymoon in California was cut short because of blackouts due to the bombing of Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.  On March 5, 1950, Sally was baptized at the First United Methodist Church in Holdrege.

On September 18, 1960, she was united in marriage to Floyd L. "Ike" Massey at the First United Methodist Church in Holdrege.  The couple made their home on their farm south of Holdrege.  Sally accepted Floyd's two children:  Michael Ray and Beckie Jo, as her own.  In the coming years, Sally and Floyd also adopted three young boys who were all preschoolers:  Edward E., Franklin Craig, and Joel Keith from the Nebraska Children's Home on December 2, 1966.

She was employed at the German POW camp in Atlanta as a young woman; befriending some of the prisoners and listening to their stories.  She was also employed at the Brewster Hospital and Holdrege Seed and Farm Supply for many years.

Sally was a skilled horsewoman and could outride most men.  She carried the United States flag on horseback for the dedication of the Harlan County dam in June 1952.  She was a natural at taking care of the farm animals and also cherished her flowerbeds, garden, and house plants.  She had a prized peach tree in her yard and harvested peaches nearly every year.  Sally always had several cats and a dog or two on the farm and loved and doctored her pets.  She tended beautiful rose bushes, tulips, daffodils, and a special bed of poppies in her yard south of Holdrege.

Sally was a 70 year member of the First United Methodist Church, joining in 1950.  She was in the choir and played the organ, taught religion classes for 27 years, and volunteered for funeral luncheons, picnics and other events at the church.  She was always willing to help those in need and had a heart of gold.  She always had a smile on her face and was such a positive person and inspiration to how we should all live our lives.

Floyd opened Holdrege Truck Equipment Co. in 1961, and Sally worked side-by-side with Floyd as his bookkeeper.  They continued to operate the business two miles south of Holdrege for more than 46 years.  Floyd and Sally spent many years in the community growing their business and their farm throughout seasons of plowing, planting, and harvesting.  They were avid supporters of the community, and made many friends.  Sally and Floyd were both born on a Saturday and if you recall the rhyme "Saturday's child works hard for a living"; they both worked hard to cultivate a successful farm along with Holdrege Truck Equipment Company in the ensuing years.  On April 19, 2011, she was preceded in death by her husband, Floyd.

They attended many parades as part of the Tehama Clowns in support of the Shriners Hospital for Children.  She volunteered for many years at Phelps Memorial Hospital, Phelps County Museum, and many other organizations.

Sally was an active member of the Order of Eastern Star, Concordia Chapter #97, and served as Worthy Matron.  She was a member of the Sod House Society, serving as Secretary and Treasurer for many years.  In addition, Sally was a member of the Elks Does; VFW Ladies Auxiliary; Holdrege Area Genealogy Club; Atlanta Community Club; and the Phelps County Historical Society.

Sally resided at Chrisoma West for the last 11 years, where she received wonderful care from the staff who befriended her and made many other friends there before moving to skilled care at Christian Homes in January.

Besides her parents and two husbands; Sally was preceded in death by her father-in-law and mother-in-law:  Francis and Hazel Massey; one son, Craig; sister, Luvenna Booker; brothers-in-law:  Howard Lee Massey; and Raymond Massey and his wife, Marquerite; sister-in-law, Clara Mae Hunt and her husband, Arthur; and a niece, Brenda Koch.

She leaves to celebrate her life; her four children:  Michael Massey and his wife, Sheryl of Mandan, North Dakota; Beckie Coleman and her husband, Rob of Mesa, Arizona; and Edward Massey and Joel Massey; several grandchildren and great-grandchildren; brother-in-law, Robert Massey and his wife, Wanda of Axtell, Nebraska; sister-in-law, Donna Johnson of Kearney, Nebraska; a special great-nephew, Jesse Koch and his wife, Shelly of Orleans; and a host of other nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, March 4, 2020, from 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. with the family greeting from 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege.

A memorial has been established in Sally's honor, and kindly suggested to the donor's choice, or to the family for later designation.

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.