Betty R. Mayberry

Betty Rae (Kelly) Mayberry, 95, of Elk Creek, MO, formerly of Pender, NE, died on Saturday, September 21, 2019 surrounded by family at her home. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, September 26, 2019 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Pender; Pastor Karen McNeill-Utecht will be officiating. The visitation will be held on Wednesday, September 25, 2019 from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. at the Munderloh – Smith funeral Home in Pender. Burial will be in the St. Mark’s Lutheran Church Cemetery near Pender. Munderloh – Smith Funeral Home of Pender is in charge of the arrangements.

Betty was born on August 24, 1924, the daughter of Alvin and Helen (Olson) Kelly at their family farm in Thurston County. She was united in marriage to Donald Adam Mayberry at the home of Wilbur and Thelma Mayberry east of Pender on September 24, 1944. To this union two children were born, Judy and Steven. The couple farmed their married life for 54 years east of Pender. Prior to their marriage, Betty worked as a housekeeper and at a meat packing plant in Sioux City, IA with her brother Francis.
She was a member of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church and belonged to the Martha Circle. She was also a member of the Pender CC club with many of her friends. She enjoyed dancing, playing bridge, ceramics and golfing. Known by her grandchildren as “Gram”, she spent her summers with her grandchildren. They all got a week of their own with Gram and Poppie.

After losing her husband Donald in 1997, she was blessed and reunited with a childhood friend of the family, Donnie Lane. They spent the thirteen years living in Mazeppa, MN. Together they traveled and played cards and enjoyed their friends. After Donnie’s death, Betty moved to Elk Creek, MO to be near to Steve and his family, where she attended St. Paul Lutheran Church in Willow Springs, MO.

Betty is survived by her daughter Judy Hermelbracht of Pender, NE; son, Steve (Betty) Mayberry of Elk Creek, MO; two sisters, Alice Schmedding of Winnebago, NE and Connie Mitchell of Beemer, NE. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Kellie (Steve) Wageman, Kandie (Armando) Ambriz, Kerrie (Russell) Renter, Kristie (Evan) Widders, Katie (Ben) Brehmer, Brenda (Mike) Lane and Brandon (April) Mayberry; several great grandchildren and great great grandchildren.

Betty is preceded in death by her parents, husband Donald Mayberry, siblings Fritz Kelly, George Kelly, Charlie Kelly, Robert Kelly, and Donnie Kelly; four grandsons, Brent, Blake and Blayne Mayberry and Ronnie Hermelbracht; son-in-law, Harold Hermelbracht and special friend, Donnie Lane.