Lillian C. Barnes

Lillian C. Barnes, 101, of Cotesfield died Tuesday, March 16, 2010, at the Heritage Living Center in St. Paul. Services will be at 2 p.m. Friday at Peters Funeral Home in St. Paul. The Rev. Martha Voigt will officiate. Burial will be in the Cotesfield Cemetery near Cotesfield. Visitation will be Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home. Mrs. Barnes was born on Dec. 14, 1908, at Western, the daughter of John and Mary (Teet) Gerhardt. She was united in marriage to Everett E. Barnes on Dec. 28, 1928, at St. Paul, NE; he preceded her in death on April 2, 1993. She is survived by one son and daughter-in-law, Byron and Dorine Barnes of Cotesfield; two daughters and sons-in-law, Patsy and James Falconer of LaQuinta, CA and Joy and Alfred Kuszak of Grand Island. She also leaves to cherish her memory, six grandchildren, John Falconer and Janet Falconer, both of LaQuinta, CA; Roger and Linda Barnes of Elba, Mark and Gloria Barnes of Jenks, OK, Joan and Paul Pfeifer of Aurora and Jenny and Anthony Empfield of Grand Island; and five great-grandchildren, Derek, Travis and Kristen Pfeifer and Alyssa and Addison Empfield. Lillian lived in Saline County near Western until she was five years old. Her parents died at an early age and she was adopted by Clayton and Anna McGrew of Ord in 1915. She attended school in Ord and later moved to live with her sister Nettie and husband Riley Barnes in Chappell. She then attended and graduated from Chappell High School and later graduated from Chadron State Teachers College. She and Everett lived and farmed near Cotesfield their entire married life. She taught at many local schools including Cotesfield Dist. No 5, North Loup, Fish Creek, Elba, Farwell and for two years in Glenville, CA, for a total of 28 years. After Everett’s death she continued to live on the farm until 2003, when she moved to the Matelyn Retirement Community in St. Paul and in 2004 she entered the Heritage Living Center, where she lived the rest of her life. She was a member of the Cotesfield United Methodist Church and the United Methodist Women and was a former member of Order of the Eastern Star of Scotia and later Ord. Lillian was a wonderful wife, mother and grandmother and will be greatly missed. She enjoyed spending time with her family and friends and quilting, sewing, gardening, flowers and cooking. In addition to her husband, Everett, she was preceded in death by her parents; adoptive parents; five brothers, Harry, John Jr., Henry, Harvey and Leonard Gerhardt; three sisters, Nettie Barnes, Emma Harms and Gertie Gerhardt; and five adoptive brothers, LaVern, Harvey, LeVant, Herschel and Lloyd McGrew. Memorials are suggested to the Cotesfield United Methodist Church or to the donor’s choice.