Cleda Marian (Vencill) Dowhower McCammon, 87, of North Platte passed away Saturday, June 20, 2015 at her home surrounded by family. Cleda was born Aug 27, 1927 to Ervin and Marguerite (Wendeborn) Vencill in North Platte. She graduated high school in North Platte with the class of 1945. She married Wayne N Dowhower on Oct 18, 1951, on her parents’ 25th wedding anniversary. They were married 33 years before Wayne’s passing. To this union was born Hal William and Dee Victoria.
Cleda worked at McDonald State Bank while in high school and continued this job for 20 years. This job taught her how to treat people with respect, fairness and how to use good business principles. This work ethic was carried over into the business that she and her husband founded on March 1st, 1959, Wayne Dowhower Construction. She preferred to work behind the scenes, until Wayne became ill, at which point she became the driving force of the company. Under her leadership the company thrived and built many home and business in the area. She continued to be a major influence in the business even into retirement, still walking into the office each and every day to wish everyone a ‘good morning’.
May 28, 1989 Cleda was united in marriage to George Leslie McCammon of North Platte. With this union she was given what she called ‘a gift from God’ of 5 more children. George and Cleda were able to spend retirement traveling to all but 5 states in the country and enjoying many friends and family, playing cards and watching sports.
Cleda loved her very large family, embracing her own relatives as well as the families of both husbands, knowing everyone’s birthday and anniversaries, sending cards or emails to all. She loved playing cards, taking pictures, keeping up with technology, watching sports, and genealogy. She enjoyed hunting pheasant and deer and trap shooting.
She has been a member of First Evangelical Lutheran Church all her life, where 8 generations of her family have been members. She has been Sunday School Treasurer for 37 years. She was active with Altrusa, Chamber Hostesses, Home Builders Assoc, being the first female president for the Home Builders, and Road Trek Assoc .
Angels in Heaven awaiting her arrival include her parents, her first husband Wayne, granddaughter Kortney Luttrell and great granddaughter Maelee Powell.
Survivors include her husband George, children Hal (Diana) Dowhower of Merrill, IA, Dee (Mark) Luttrell, Jeffrey (Lynn) McCammon of North Platte, David (Becky) McCammon of Renton, WA; Stanley (Janet) McCammon of Seattle, WA; Jean (John) Kandt of La Mesa, CA, and Elizabeth (Steven) Clair of North Platte. Grandchildren Mitchell (Sheena) Dowhower, Britni (Jason) Harris, Kristal Stewart and their mother, Jean (Bob) Peters, Jacey Luttrell, Kayley (Josh) Powell, Tara Rogers, Dan (Connie) Baker, Kristy (Nick) Bryant, Pam McCammon, Kyle (Veronica) McCammon, Jennifer and Michelle Kandt, Molly and Avery McCammon, Tracie and Tessa Clair. Great grandchildren Ashton Harris, Riley Dowhwer, Carson and Gavin Harris, Zaiden, Brekkyn, and Tenzley Powell, Dylan Hill, David McCammon, Gia Baker, and Gracelynn, Taylor, Gavin, and Parker Bryant, Sister Theresa (Art) Kesterson of North Platte, multiple nieces, nephews and cousins.
Services will be held at First Evangelical Lutheran Church Thursday June 25, 2015 at 11:00 am, with graveside services held on Friday June 26, 2015 at Floral Lawns at 10:00am. Memorials are suggested to First Evangelical Lutheran Church of North Platte and Mid NE Community Foundation, Cleda Dowhower McCammon fund for First Evangelical Lutheran Church, NP Musical Ministry.
Online condolences may be shared at www.carpentermemorial.com. . Visitation will be from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday and from 8:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday at Carpenter Memorial Chapel, which is in charge of arrangements.