Myrtle Jeannette Gary, age 88, former longtime resident of Kearney, passed away March 9, 2016 at the North Platte Care Center.
Myrtle Jeannette was born on June 21, 1927 in South Dakota to Steener John and Clara Ruth (Hove) Carlson. She grew up on a farm near White Butte, SD, graduating from Lemmon (SD) High School. She worked at a beauty shop and kept house in Lemmon for her two younger brothers while they attended high school. On April 23, 1947 she married Harold D. Gary in Lemmon. This marriage was a partnership for life and to this union five children were born. Their daughter Gail Ruth died in infancy March 4, 1951. Myrtle and Harold moved to Redfield, SD in 1955 where she babysat and then worked at JC Penney and later in an optometrist’s office. An accomplished seamstress, she was always sewing. Her specialties were prom dresses, wedding and attendants’ dresses and at one time, sewed the velvet robes for the RHS Homecoming Royalty. In 1970 she and Harold bought the Pioneer Motel in Kearney which they owned until retirement in 1995. Myrtle was instrumental in helping start a newborn infant stocking cap program at Good Samaritan Hospital. Hundreds of babies wore her crocheted caps. She loved to dance, especially square dance and schottische. Later, she took up bowling. Proud to be Norwegian, she often used the words “ja” and “uffda” and cooked ludefisk for Christmas. She enjoyed University of Nebraska at Kearney sports and attended many volleyball, basketball, softball and baseball games. She and Harold followed their grandchildren’s school programs and sports. In 2010 she and Harold moved to Lincoln. In 2013 Myrtle moved to North Platte to be near family. She had been a resident of NP Care Center since that time.
Myrtle will be missed by her daughters, Myrna Liebig of North Platte, Melanie Gary and LaNae Gary both of Lincoln; brother, Stener (Fran) Carlson of Loveland, CO; two grandsons, Rory Kay of Las Vegas and Taylan Schoen of Lincoln; a granddaughter, Audra (Gordy) West of North Platte; and two great grandsons, Gage West and Kasen West.
She was preceded in death by her infant daughter Gail Ruth; husband Harold in September 2011; son Dallas in September 2012; four sisters and one brother.
A memorial has been established. Online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com. Cremation was chosen and memorial services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Sunday March 13, 2016 in Kearney at the O’Brien, Straatmann, Redinger Funeral Home Chapel with Marcia Mapes as officiant. Inurnment will be at a later date at Ft. McPherson National Cemetery. Adams and Swanson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.