Wauneta W. Riley

Celebration of Life Services for Wauneta W. Riley will be conducted from the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege, Nebraska on Friday, May 26, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Murray Jones and Chaplain DeWane Dow, officiating. Private family interment will be held in the Alma Cemetery at Alma, Nebraska, prior to the service.

Wauneta W. Riley, 90 years of age, of Holdrege, (formerly of Republican City, Nebraska) passed away on Sunday, May 21, 2017 at Christian Homes Care Community in Holdrege.

She was born September 4, 1926 at the family home in Long Island, Kansas, the second of six children born to Carl and Frances (Miller) Durnil. The family resided in Long Island, where Wauneta received her education from Long Island High School, and graduated with the class of 1944. She then pursued higher education at Ft. Hays College, where she received her credentials for her teaching certificate. Wauneta then taught country school near Long Island for a few years, until moving to Alma. In Alma, she was employed by Cudahy Packing Plant. Wauneta then began a long career in the banking business. She was employed by the Harlan County Bank in Alma.

On June 4, 1950, Wauneta was united in marriage to William E. "Butch" Riley at the Methodist Church in Almena, Kansas, and one daughter, Rochelle was born to this union. They spent the first twelve years of their marriage in Alma, and then relocated to Holdrege. While in Holdrege, Wauneta was employed by the First Security Bank for many years prior to her retirement.

Following retirement, Wauneta and Butch moved full-time to Harlan County Reservoir, and enjoyed spending winters in Texas, and camping at Wilson Reservoir in Kansas.

Wauneta was a member of the Eastern Star, was active with the American Legion and VFW Auxiliary, and many special friendship bonds were formed throughout the years in several clubs that she was part of.

On May 2, 2013, she was preceded in death by her husband, Butch. She then began to make her home back in Holdrege. For the past year she resided at the Christian Homes Care Community.

She leaves to celebrate her life; her daughter, Rochelle Jurgens and her husband, Gary of Holdrege; two grandsons: Alex Jurgens of Austin, Texas, and Taylor Jurgens of Kansas City, Missouri; brother, Jim Durnil and his wife, Kathy of Arp, Texas; sisters: Marlene Stevens and her husband, Steve of Bishop, California, and Mary Lou Steinle and her husband, Duane of Topeka, Kansas; three sisters-in-law: Shirley Fischer of Kearney, Nebraska, Mary Fecht of Amherst, Nebraska, and Barbara Artz of Minden, Nebraska; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Besides her parents, and husband, Butch; Wauneta was preceded in death by one grandson, Cody Jurgens; one brother, Eugene Durnil; sister, Wanda White and her husband, Chester; sister-in-law, Charlene Wolf and her husband, Dean; and brothers-in-law: Lewis Artz, and Ben Fecht.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, May 25, 2017 at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege from 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. with the greeting from 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

A memorial has been established in Wauneta'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 Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege is in charge of the arrangements.