Wilma Kay Elder of Gordon, Nebraska, was born in Detroit, Michigan, to Wilbur and Frances (Tatum) Brockman on June 3, 1941.
After graduating from high school, she and her family moved to Phoenix, Arizona, where she was employed by Kresge’s Department Store.
While in Phoenix, Kay met a handsome young Airman stationed at Luke Air Force Base, named Bob Elder. On July 15, 1966, Kay and Bob were married and soon a daughter Christy was born and a couple of years later a son, Bob was born. Not long after they moved their new family to Durango, Colorado, then on to Hemingford, Nebraska and then to Spring Lake Ranch, south of Gordon, Nebraska. The family finally settled in Gordon, where Kay worked as a librarian assistant fat Gordon Elementary School or some years, before she was employed by Gordon Memorial Hospital in the home health care department until she retired.
Kay loved gardening in her spare time. Many evenings you could find her tending to her flower garden on the back patio. Her favorite flower were petunias, where several could always be found in pots on the front porch. Later in life she enjoyed watching football, especially the HUSKERS! Any chance she got to talk Husker football with someone was always cherished.
She was also interested in history and genealogy. But most of all she loved watching all four of her grandsons growing up.
Wilma “Kay” Elder passed away at home on May 25, 2022, just shy of her 81st birthday. Kay is preceded in death by her parents Wilbur and Fran Brockman and her brother Jim Brockman.
She is survived by her husband Bob, daughter Christy (Rick) of Rushville, NE, son Bob (Laurie) of Ulysses, Nebraska, grandsons Curtis of Gordon, Nebraska, Wyatt (Jade) of Seward, Nebraska, Morgan (Addy) of Lincoln, Nebraska and Cameron of Rushville, Nebraska, sister Linda, brother Gary, both of Phoenix, Arizona, cousin Joyce of Greensboro, North Carolina, sister-in-law Mary Jo (Ray) of Ft. Collins, Colorado, niece Shaun (Rob) of Aurora, Colorado, and nephew Steve of Ft. Collins, Colorado.
A Rosary service will be held Tuesday, May 31, 2022, 9:30 AM, at St. Leo’s Catholic Church, Gordon, Nebraska, with a Memorial Mass to follow at 10:00 AM. Inurnment will be held at Mt. Hope Cemetery, Gordon, Nebraska. A memorial has been established for C.A.R.E. and donations may be sent to Chamberlain-Pier Funeral Home, PO Box 366, Gordon, NE 69343.