Lillian L. Confer

Lillian L. Confer

March 14, 1918 - April 11, 2014

CULBERTSON, Nebraska -- Lillian L. Confer, age 95, of Culbertson, passed away at the Hillcrest Nursing Home on April 11, 2014.

She was born in Benton, Kansas, on March 14, 1918, to Thomas and Katie (Sieg) Sparks. She attended elementary school in Butler County, Kansas, and graduated from high school in Whitewater, Kansas, in 1936. She attended Wichita Business College. During World War II, she was employed at the Beechcraft Airplane factory.

Lillian was married to Howard Brockway and they moved to Nebraska in 1944. He preceded her in death in 1959. She married August Desen in 1969; he preceded her in death in 1969.

Lillian worked as a secretary for the Hitchcock County Extension Service for five years. Music was an important part of her life beginning as a child. She taught private music lessons on piano, organ and accordion for more than 17 years. She served as the United Methodist church organist since 1977. Lillian played for weddings, funerals and played with a small band at wedding dances.

On March 14, 1975, she married Paul Confer. The couple made their home on the farm, retiring in 1979 and moving to Culbertson. Lillian was active in her church work, serving on many committees and as an officer. She was instrumental in organizing and setting up of the Hitchcock County Food Pantry and served on the advisory board from the beginning in 1990. She received the Southwest District of the Methodist Church award for "Lay Person of the Year." She was active in knitting and crocheting baby caps and blankets, afghans for the church circle to be presented to newborns in the church. She was known for her baking of cakes and other baked goods.

Lillian was preceded in death by her parents; husbands: Howard and August; an infant brother; and sisters, Irene Garner and Marie Hiser.

She is survived by her husband, Paul of Culbertson; nieces, Darlene Shoemaker of Fort Scott, Kansas, and Donna Dole of Valley Center, Kansas.

Visitation will be Tuesday, April 15, 2014, at the Herrmann Funeral Chapel in McCook from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

A memorial service will be at United Methodist Church in Culbertson on Thursday, April 17, 2014, with Pastor John Lewis officiating. Inurnment will be in the Culbertson Cemetery.

Friends may leave on line condolences at herrmannfh.com. Memorials may be left in her name at the Herrmann-Jones Funeral Chapel of McCook.

Herrmann-Jones Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.