Lydia A Gibson

Lydia Gibson was born to Adolph and Agnes (Bartu) Brydl on a farm southwest of Dorchester, Nebraska, near Saline Center. She grew up on three different farms in Saline County. After graduating from Wilber High School, she attended St. Elizabeth School of Nursing in Lincoln, NE and graduated as a Registered Nurse. She married Larry Drda in 1953 and they had three children, Theresa, Steve and Paul. During the years from 1953 to 1964 the family lived in California, Missouri, Massachusetts and Nebraska. They divorced in 1964. Lydia remarried in 1980 and divorced in 1989.

Over the course of her career, Lydia worked in pediatric nursing in Lincoln and in Burbank, California. She later worked in general floor nursing, Home Health Care and School Nursing in Norfolk, Nebraska. Lydia most enjoyed her time as School Nurse for Norfolk Senior High. While in Norfolk, she was also involved in developing and implementing a 24-Hour Help Hotline Service and founding a Single Parents Group in the community. She also taught Sunday School “to little munchkins” at St. John’s Lutheran Church for nine years and very much enjoyed it!

In 1976, she took a position as Coordinator of Adult Continuing Education for Health Occupations at Northeast Community College in Norfolk, Nebraska. Later, she held the same position at Western Community College, Scottsbluff, and Southeast Community College, Lincoln. She retired in 1998.

Lydia’s greatest joy in life was raising her three children. She also loved playing bridge, sewing, crocheting and tending her flowers.

Survivors include her children Theresa Drda (spouse Michael Hogeorges) of Evanston, IL, Steve Drda (spouse Pam Drda) of Lincoln, NE, Paul Drda of Denver, CO, and grandchildren Mick Drda of Lincoln, NE and Bree Drda of Phoenix, AZ. Lydia was preceded in death by her brother Mel Brydl of Lincoln.

The family will be hosting an open-house Celebration of Life for Lydia on Sunday, October 24, 2021 at Billy’s Restaurant, 1301 H St., Lincoln, NE from 2:00 – 4:30 PM.