LeVern Edward Cherry

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Oct. 24, 1932 - May 14, 2013

NORTH PLATTE, Nebraska -- LeVern Edward Cherry, 80, of North Platte Nebraska, passed away May 14, 2013, at the Golden Living Center in Broken Bow, Nebraska.

LeVern was born Oct. 24, 1932, at his parents' home south of Mason City, Nebraska, to Frank (Pop) and Anna (Supanchick) Cherry. To this union, LeVern was born the fourth child of six siblings. brother, Evert Cherry, sisters, Ethel McAlevy, Helen Young, DeLoris Smith, and Clarrena Overholser.

LeVern married Norma Rae Shipley Jan. 9, 1953, in Norton, Kansas. To this union five children were born: Diana L. Hopkins, Frisco, Texas, Michael E. Cherry, San Antonio, Texas, Randall R. Cherry, Sargent, Nebraska, Steven L. Cherry, Kearney, Nebraska and Patrick W. Cherry, McCook, Nebraska.

Survivors include his wife, Norma; children, Diana, Mike, Randy, Steve and Pat; daughters-in-law, Mary, Cindy, and Melanie; sisters, Helen Young, Ansley, Nebraska, DeLoris Smith, Chadron, Nebraska; brother-in-law, Royce Smith; grandchildren, Scott Krause, Tim Krause, Tony Willis, Becky Willis, Brian Cherry, John Cherry, Donell Cherry, Travis Rhoad, Sean Cherry, Megan Cherry, Josh Cherry, Austin Cherry; eight great-grandchildren and nieces and nephews.

Preceding in death were his parents, Frank (Pop) and Anna (Molly); brother, Evert; sisters, Ethel and Clarrena; father-in-law, Glen Shipley; mother-in-law, Edith Najarian; brothers-in-law, Bob McAlevy, Walt Young, Paul Overholser, Ray Venable, and John Shipley; sister-in-law, Dorothy Venable; special grandson, Aaron Cherry; including aunts, uncles, cousins, nephew and a host of close friends.

LeVern attended kindergarten thru fifth grade at Mason City before moving to Kimball, Nebraska. He attended three years of high school, moved and graduated from Mason City High School in 1951. LeVern was an outstanding football player and track man, competing in the Nebraska State Track Meet his senior year.

After graduation, LeVern worked as a carpenter with his father in Custer County.

LeVern served his country from 1953 thru 1955 (Korean Conflict) as a Corporal in the US Army. His duty assignment was the BTRY C 537th FA BN in Fort Sill, Oklahoma. There he earned the National Defense Service Medal and the Good Conduct Medal. He was honorably discharged in 1955.

After his services in the Army, LeVern returned to Mason City, Nebraska, to work as a carpenter with his father and later in the oil fields in Kimball, Nebraska.

In 1956, LeVern obtained an FHA Loan renting the Art and Nel Henderson Farm south of Ansley, Nebraska. His farming career started with eight milk cows, six brood sows, and 20 beef cows. He custom hayed for shares with a WD Allis Chalmers tractor and Allis Chalmers Roto Baler. With hard work and determination, he was able to purchase the Henderson Farm. From this seed he grew his business by acquiring more land, purchasing modern equipment, irrigating with center pivot systems, grew his business by starting a cattle feeding operation which he enjoyed. In 1994, LeVern Cherry moved to North Platte, Nebraska, sold his home and feedlot to his grandson and started his second career in real estate. Utilizing his carpenter skills he acquired from his father, LeVern purchased, renovated, and sold residential housing. Due to failing health, LeVern retired in 2008. Looking out the picture window of his home he had the most beautiful view of the city he loved. LeVern always stated that North Platte was good to him.

LeVern enjoyed collecting coins, toy tractors, Husker memorabilia, antique Minneapolis Moline Tractors, belt buckles, seed corn caps, and elephants. He was an avid sports fan following his Nebraska Cornhuskers, Kansas State Wildcats, Ansley Warriors, Mason City Wildcats, McCook Bison and Kearney Bearcats. He enjoyed traveling, sour crème raisin and banana crème pies, holidays with his family, orange slices, hot cup of coffee, but more than anything his Grandkids.

How can one ever forget his jokes, laughter and the famous LeVern Cherry "SLAP ON THE BACK." He will be missed by all. "Onk" "Onk"

Funeral services were Monday, May 20, 2013 at 10:30 a.m. at Govier Bros. Mortuary in Broken Bow with Rev. Mel Shepherd officiating. Burial was at 3 p.m., in the Fort McPherson National Cemetery at Maxwell, with military honors.

Memorials are suggested to the Golden Living Center in Broken Bow.

Visitation was Sunday, May 19, 2013, 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Govier Bros. Mortuary in Broken Bow.