Elvera Varvel died on January 19, 2022 at Pioneer Manor in Hay Springs, Nebraska. Her funeral services will be held on Tuesday, January 25, 2022 at 10:00 AM at the Zion Lutheran Church in Hay Springs, Nebraska with Pastor Wierschke officiating.
Elvera was born April 27, 1926 in Hay Springs to Anton and Viola Rasmussen. She grew up on west Mirage Flats south of Hay Springs. She attended country school through the eighth grade and then high school in Hay Springs, where she graduated in 1943. Later that year, she married her high school sweetheart, James Varvel. They were married for 67 years and lived in the Hay Springs area for most of their lives, where they raised their family of four children, except for a short stint of five years when they lived at Oral, S.D., southeast of Hot Springs, S.D.
Elvera was a homemaker and mother. She enjoyed cooking, gardening, raising her children, and helping her husband. Her home-made angel food cakes, bread, rolls, and pies were enjoyed by family and friends alike.
She was active in her church and helped with many dinners and activities at the church, which included the annual rummage sale.
She was also a member of the American Legion Auxiliary for many years.
She lived at Prairie Pines Lodge of Chadron for six years before residing at Pioneer Manor.
She was preceded in death by her husband, James, infant son Kenneth, son Gary, son-in-law Dennis Moreno, parents, brothers Paul, Carl, and Norman Rasmussen; sisters-in-law Lorene Jones, Elvera Rasmussen, Mary Anne Rasmussen Anderson; brother-in-law Maurice Jones; niece Teresa Jones Poe; and nephews Eugene Rasmussen and Dennis Rasmussen.
She is survived by sons George (Trudy) Varvel of Alliance, Bryan (Karen) Varvel of Olathe, KS; daughter Shirley Morava of Crawford; and daughter-in-law Bonnie Varvel of Lincoln, NE; sister-in-law Doris Rasmussen of Missoula, MT; 10 grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
A memorial has been established for Lister Sage or Pioneer Manor. Donations can be sent to Chamberlain Drabbels Mortuary, Po Box 443, Hay Springs, NE 69347.
Chamberlain Drabbels Mortuary of Hay Springs, Nebraska is in Charge of arrangements.
Online condolences can be made at www.chamberlainchapel.com.