Lea Rein Waddell

Lea Rein Waddell, 86, of Scottsbluff, died Saturday, July 15, 2006 at Heritage Health Care Center in Gering with her family by her side. Funeral services will be 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, July 19, 2006 at Zion Evangelical Church in Scottsbluff with Pastor Amos Harris officiating. Interment will be in the Bayard Cemetery. Lea was born September 20, 1919 in Minatare, NE to Frederick and Lydia (Wirtz) Rein. She was a graduate of Chadron State Teacher College and was an educator and administrator for thirty-five years. Lea taught K-8 in a one-room school at Robideaux; a teacher and principal at Haig School; and a teacher for twenty-five years at Gering Public Schools. Lea was a member of Zion Evangelical Church where she belonged to the Ladies Society. She traveled extensively with her family and friends and will be remembered for her quick wit, love of dance, compassion for animals, passion for Husker football, and her profound love of God. She is survived by her ex-husband and very dear friend Jesse Waddell of Gering; son and daughter-in-law: Roger L. and Marney Abel of Austin, TX; daughters and sons-in-law: Veronica L. and Donald Walker of Scottsbluff, NE, Victoria L. and Jerry Frick of Scottsdale, AZ and Nancy J. Carpenter of Houston, TX; sisters: Marie Foos of Denver, CO and Alvina Buchhamer of Scottsbluff, NE; grandchildren: James Abel of Austin, TX, Tate Abel, Shreveport, LA, Kimberly LaLone, Indianapolis, IN, Matthew Jones, Fullerton, CA, Marney Pena, Indianapolis, IN, Amanda Enderle, Little Rock, Arkansas; Andrew Frick, Dallas, TX, Ryan Frick, New York City, NY, Meghan Metzler, Denver, CO, Heather Ozaltun, Izmir, Turkey, Kitty Becker, Louisville, CO and twelve great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, sisters Leta Buchhammer and Esther Lewkowski and brothers Frederick and Harry Rein. She will be forever loved, remembered and missed.