Geraldine Rowena Labertew

She attended elementary school at two small country schools in Adam County, Iowa. She started High School in Corning, Iowa and moved to Melbeta, Nebraska with her parents during her freshman year. She then went to Melbeta High School and graduated in May 1946. She met her future husband at Melbeta High School.

She married Merle Ray Labertew June 30, 1946, in Melbeta Methodist Church which they were both members of. They started farming and lived on different farms around Melbeta until they sold their farm in 1975 and moved into Melbeta.

Three children were born to them, Jimmy Ray, Stanley John and Sharon Kay. They were always her pride and joy.

She helped with 4-H which all three children were really active. Cub Scout leader, teacher at Sunday School when her children were young. She was a member of the Melbeta School Board several years and after moving into Melbeta was on the town council for 13 years.

She was a substitute rural mail carrier for Gering Route 1 from 195-1972, worked at L.B. Murphys in Scottsbluff for a few years, a Bookkeeper at the Melbeta School at one time and did all the books for the town when on the town council-but mostly enjoyed being a housewife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She enjoyed helping with the farm and cattle. She and Merle spent many hours on their horses in the hills among the cattle.

She so enjoyed taking part in her children’s many activities when they were growing up and the grandchildren’s. And by staying in such good health also got to be part of the great grandkids and their activities. So special to be a part of their lived and for them all to know their great grandmother.

Survivors include her son Stanley (Sandy) Labertew, Sylvan Grove, KS, daughter Sharon (Randy) Steinle, Andale, KS and son-in-law Brad (Diane) Beutler, Minatare, NE; grandchildren Shannon (Lee) Floth, Scottsbluff, NE, Brandon (Laura) Labertew, McPherson, KS, Britney Tenbrink, Salina, KS, Benjamin (Angie) Labertew, Sylvan Grove, KS, Dustin (Jamie) Steinle Houston, TX, Danica (Matthew) Smith, Concord, CA and Kyree (Eric) Scripsick, Goddard, KS; great grandchildren Ryan Temple, Drew, Brycen & Lauren Labertew, Lakyn, Ryan & Paityn Tenbrink, Jase, Maggie, & Cai Labertew, Madisyn & Mason Scripsick and Dagny Smith; brother Dean Cochran (Charlotte Williams) Mitchell, NE; sister Joann Corr, Scottsbluff, NE; and numerous very special nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband Merle, son Jimmy and daughter-in-law Barb Beutler, sisters Jean Vogel and Lois Meier, brother Junior Cochran, sisters-in-law Judie Cochran, Lois Curtis, Marge Cochran and Shirley Labertew; brothers-in-law Ralph Vogel, Morris Labertew, Ron Meier and Jack Corr.

Services are pending. At her request cremation has taken place. Memorials may be given to Minatare-Melbeta Fire Department, Festival of Hope or Creighton Valley Cemetery. Fond memories and condolences may be left at www.dugankramer.com for the Labertew family. Dugan Kramer Funeral Chapel is assisting the family with arrangements.