Elna Berthe (Petersen) Kibben

Elna Berthe (Petersen) Kibben

Feb. 8, 1913 - March 24, 2013

CURTIS, Nebraska -- Elna Berthe (Petersen) Kibben, 100, of Curtis, died March 24, 2013 at Hillcrest Nursing Home in McCook, Nebraska.

She was born Feb. 8, 1913 in Norman, Nebraska, daughter of Nels and Dorthea (Jensen) Petersen.Elna grew up in Norman until she was five-years-old, when her family moved to Curtis. On July 10, 1935, Elna married Oliver Kibben at Curtis, they then moved to the family ranch at New Raymer, Colorado. Elna's happiest days were raising her three daughters Carol, Sandy, and Janet on the ranch. The family returned to Curtis in 1963.

Elna enjoyed traveling to numerous states and countries. She went to Alaska several times to visit her daughter Carol. She enjoyed reading books, knitting and crocheting, but most important of all was her family. She felt that raising a good family was the most important job a person could ever have. Elna was involved in PEO; a 4-H leader, Frontier Co Extension Club and a 50 year member of the United Methodist Church.

Surviving are daughters, Carol (David) Unruh of Moab, Utah, Sandy Stencel of Curtis, Janet Kohl of Berthoud, Colorado,; eight grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, four great-great grandchildren, sister-in-law, Kathleen Marshall, and a host of extended family and friends.

Elna was preceded in death by husband, Oliver Kibben; parents, Nels and Dorthea Petersen; brother, Harry Petersen; and sister, Doris McKinney, infant sister Vera Peterson.

Visitation will be held at Blase-Wetzel-Strauser Memorial Chapel in Curtis Wednesday, March 27, 2013, from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Services will be Thursday, March 28, 2013, at First United Methodist Church, at 2 p.m. with Rev. Bonnie Forney officiating. Interment will follow in the Curtis Cemetery in Curtis.

Memorials may be given to the First United Methodist Church, 402 Center Ave., Curtis, NE 69025 or the Curtis Public Library, PO Box 29, Curtis, NE 69025.

To sign the online guest book, go to www.blasestrauser.com.

Blase-Strauser is in charge of arrangements.