Vera Ellen (Wright) Martin

Vera Ellen (Wright) Martin

Dec. 6, 1929 - Oct. 18, 2024

HENDLEY, Neb. - Vera Ellen (Wright) Martin, age 94, of Hendley, Neb. passed away on Oct. 18, 2024 at Beaver City Manor, in Beaver City, Neb. She was born to Howard “Bud” and Opal Cecilia (Knapp) Wright on Dec. 6, 1929, in Salina, Kan. She was the only child until her parents adopted her brother, Kenneth Wright.

Elementary school days found Vera riding her Shetland pony to the country school. Her pony grazed all day when she was in school. Later Vera attended Beaver City High School graduating with the class of 1949. She was involved in High School band playing the drums.

Vera met Bertell (Tunie) Martin and were married at the County Courthouse on June 12, 1949. They made their home south of Beaver City, Neb. Vera was a farmer’s wife, doing chores and providing meals to the harvesters in the family, they also milked cows and sold the milk locally. On the farm is where Vera and Bertell raised their family: Larry Lee, Lyle Dee, Linda Lou, Beverly Jean, Gary Dean, Diann Kay and Connie Sue who were all born in Cambridge, Neb. and Norton, Kan.

Vera was an excellent cook and baker: she will be remembered for providing homemade breads to her kids and grandkids every Christmas. She was a member of the Hendley /Wilsonville Church, loved to attend services and provide baked goods for the annual Lord’s Acre sale.

Vera will be remembered for being the owner/operator of the Country Corner store in Hendley, Neb. She was always at the store to provide some friendly conversation with all her customers. Vera was a friend and special person to everyone in the community. She moved into the Beaver City Manor in June, 2020.

Vera loved living in the Beaver City Manor, she had friends and relatives living there and made a lot of new friends. She appreciated the homecooked meals and all the activities provided to keep the residents engaged. She enjoyed puzzles and spending time with friends and family.

Vera is proceeded in death by her parents, brother Kenneth Wright, husband Bertell G. Martin, sisters-in-law, Elta Eatheron, DeEtta Dunkhas, Carol Smith, Twila Fults, Marlene Whettstein, brothers-in-law, Lawrence and LaVerne Martin, Harold Eatheron, Richard Dunkhas, Dean Wolzen, Vern Smith, great-grandsons Dillon Mroczek and Kash Pruitt and a host of close relatives and friends.

She is survived by her children: sons Larry Martin of Kearney, Lyle (Judy) Martin of Stamford, Gary (Sandi) Martin of Beaver City; daughters Linda Freeland of Loomis, Beverly (Terry) Freeland of Atlanta, Diann (Brent) Upthagrove of Holdrege, Connie (Gary) Bortis of Trumball; sister-in-law Helen Wolzen and brother-in-law Dale Fults of Beaver City, Neb.; 18 grandchildren; 48 great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild and many other loving relatives and friends.

A memorial has been established in Vera’s honor and kindly suggested to the family for later designation.

Viewing and visitation will be Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024, from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. at Faith Community Church in Beaver City, Neb. Funeral service will be Friday, Oct. 25, 2024, at 11 a.m. at Faith Community Church, in Beaver City, Neb. with Pastors Warren Dunlop and Keith Theobald officiating. Inurnment will be at a later date at Mount Hope Cemetery, Beaver City, Neb.

Garey Funeral Home of Beaver City, Neb. is in charge of the arrangements. Condolences and personal reflections may be left at gareyfuneralhome.com