Virginia Lee Kehl

Celebration of Life Service for Virginia L. Kehl will be held on Thursday, March 17, 2016 at 3:00 p.m. at the Bauer-Torrey & Mach Funeral Home in Alma, Nebraska with Pastor Jason Dowell officiating . Inurnment will follow at the Alma Cemetery in Alma.

Virginia Lee Kehl, 81 years of age, of Orleans, Nebraska, passed away on Saturday, March 12, 2016 at the CHI Health Good Samaritan in Kearney, Nebraska. Virginia was born April 29, 1934 in St. Charles, Illinois, the youngest of three children born to Joseph and Mildred (Haas) Gorecki. She received her education from St. Patrick's Catholic Grade School and St. Charles' High School. Virginia resided with her father until she met Gene Kehl.

On February 25, 1956, she was united in marriage to Gene David Kehl at the Methodist Church in Geneva, Illinois and to this union three sons were born: Steven Lee, Harry Allen and Forest Gene. The family made their home in Illinois, where they worked at the United States Printing & Lithograph and Rex's Cork & Fork Steak House. In 1958, the family relocated to Orleans, where Virginia focused on raising the children and being a homemaker. She often helped Gene with tree work and in the garden. She enjoyed gardening and canning, baking, and cooking. In later years, Virginia and Gene also enjoyed fishing and hunting. Gene preceded her in death in 1986.

On October 22, 1989, she became a member of the Orleans Evangelical Free Church and on December 13, 1989, she was baptized in the church by Pastor Perry Holmgren. In later years, Virginia transferred her membership to the Prayer Baptist Church in Orleans. She was also a member of the Orleans Civic Club.

Besides her husband, Gene; Virginia was preceded in death by her father, Joseph Gorecki; mother, Mildred Hagner; granddaughter, Lisa ReNee Kehl; and two brothers: Robert Gorecki and James Gorecki.

She leaves to celebrate her life; her three sons: Steven Kehl of Kearney, Harry Kehl of Kearney and Forest Kehl and his wife, Amy of Kearney; 12 grandchildren: Brandon Kehl, David Kehl, Matthew Kehl, Shane Kehl, Megan Kehl, Spencer Kehl, Adam Kehl, Cole Kehl, Destina Kehl, Alexander Longoria, Vanessa Escandon and Angel Escandon; 5 great-grandchildren; 3 nephews; along with many other relatives and friends.

The family is honoring Virginia's wish for cremation. Memorial Book Signing will be held on Wednesday, March 16, 2016 at the Bauer-Torrey & Mach Funeral Home in Alma, from 4:00 p.m – 8:00 p.m. with the family greeting from 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

A memorial has been established in Virginia's honor and will be designated at a later date.

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

The Bauer-Torrey & Mach Funeral Home in Alma is in charge of the arrangements.