Maurice "Maury" Nelson Halstead

Maurice “Maury” Halstead, 94 of Lincoln, Nebraska passed away on Nov. 17, 2023 at Bryan West Hospital. Maury’s sons were at his side as his long journey came to an end. He was born on January 7, 1929 in Van Wert, Decatur County, Iowa to Wickliffe Burbank Halstead and Florence Maxine (Heather) Halstead. He graduated in 1947 from Leon High School in Leon, Iowa, and attended Iowa State University at Ames Iowa but chose family life over graduation. Maury married Carol Lea “Corky” Jenkins on June 19, 1949 in Leon, Decatur County, Iowa. They were married for 62 years until her death on December 11, 2011. Their union produced four sons and a lot of memories.

Maury loved sports and anything to do with sports, He was an especially enthusiastic supporter of women’s sports. He was a 60+ years Nebraska Football season ticket holder, 15+ years Nebraska Women’s Volleyball season ticket holder, and a 15+ years Nebraska Women’s Basketball Season ticket holder. He also was an active financial supporter of the Nebraska Women’s Softball team and sponsored a women’s amateur softball team at Capital Beach in Lincoln.

Maury was a workaholic and was happiest when he had a task or project to work on. He realized his passion for construction when he first started working for the Lincoln-based Olson Construction Company. He did labor related construction for Olson while he and Corky were living in Ames Iowa. Then prior to their 2nd son’s birth, they transferred to Lincoln so he could become an estimator and project manager for Olson Construction, a job he held until 1973. He was very proud of his role as estimator and project manager for the Sheldon Museum of Art from 1960 to 1963 and the Nebraska Memorial Football Stadium Expansion in 1966. His talents were being noticed by others. He was recruited to the position of Vice President of Superior Industries in Millard Nebraska, which he held from 1973 to 1984. Maury and Corky then returned to Lincoln so he could take on the role of Vice President of Olson Construction. Maury capped off his construction career by starting Piedmont Construction in 1986 which he ran until his retirement in 2007 at the age of 78. Maury then turned his focus and attention to detail by being the sole caregiver to Corky as she battled leukemia. Maury also served for 20 years on the Board of Directors for Arctic Insulation, Inc in Omaha, which his oldest son Monty purchased in 1998.

Maury was a long-term and active member of The Rotary Club #14 in Lincoln. Many of Maury’s volunteer and participation activities were due to his involvement in the Rotary Club. He was immensely proud of the Rotary Club and their mission of service. He received the Rotary Distinguished Service Citation in 1994, was Rotary Director from 1997 to 1999, Rotarian of the Year from 2002 to 2003, and Seargent at Arms from 2019 to 2020.

After Corky’ death in 2011 he regularly volunteered with the Community Action’s ‘The Gathering Place’ until 2021. Maury was also an active participant in The Lincoln Public School ‘Teammates’ Mentorship Program (2013-2020), a Salvation Army Christmas Bell Ringer, and a Lifelong Blood Donor. He would proudly state that he was a 100-gallon blood donor; but we checked, and Maury had given 19.1 gallons as of his last donation in May 2022. For correcting him, he is probably challenging us even now. Maury and Corky moved into the University Towers Condominiums in downtown Lincoln in 1994 and Maury was a Board Member and President for multiple years.

Because of Maury’s intimate knowledge of Sheldon Museum of Art’s construction, he was contacted to provide structural tours. He did that for many years and left his sons a detailed description of what he told each tour group. From his detailed story-line: in 1960 he was presented with the drawings for the museum’s structural components. He was tasked by Olson Construction to prepare a cost estimate. The architect, Phillip Johnson, stated that there was not a contractor in the Midwest that could build Sheldon. Well, Maury took that as a challenge. While Maury oversaw many of the construction components, he became fast friends with his Italian marble contact, Vando D’Angiolo. Their collaboration resulted in the procurement and successful fabrication of the travertine marble – which covers all the exterior and a good portion of the interior. Their friendship resulted in Maury’s 2nd son Scott spending a summer in Italy with Vando’s family.

Maury is survived by his four son’s and their spouses; Monty & Tish of Omaha, Scott & Angie of Omaha, Danny &Shelly of Lincoln, and Tony & Paul of Denver, Colorado. Maury was very proud of his 6 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.

Maury is preceded in death by his wife Carol Lea “Corky” Jenkins/Halstead and his only sibling Whitney Boyd Halstead of Chicago, Illinois. Maury also requested that we acknowledge some special friends that meant the world to him who preceded in death. His dear friend from elementary school and late in life travel companion JoAnne Shandy “Jody” Peterseim of Columbus, Ohio. And of course, his cherished friends that made up the Nebraska Football Gang – Ed & Glenny Chicoine, Boyd & June Elliot, John & Grace Priest, Ken & Margy Willits, and Vern & Uarda Damkroger.

Memorials may be given to The Rotary Club #14 in Lincoln.

A Memorial Graveside Service will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, June 1, 2024 at Lincoln Memorial Park Cemetery 6700 South 17th Street, Lincoln, Nebraska 68512. Meet at Gate 2. A luncheon will take place immediately following at the Lincoln Memorial Funeral Home 6800 South 14th Street.