Ethel Huffman

Memorial services for Ethel Huffman will be conducted from the United Methodist Church in Ansley, Nebraska, on Saturday, November 24, 2012, at 10:30 a.m. with the Rev. Joel Plisek officiating. Burial will be at the Box Elder Cemetery at Cumro. Ethel Rose (Shaw) Huffman was born March 28, 1908, near Filley, Nebraska, to L. V. and Susie (Durken) Shaw and passed away on November 19, 2012, at Heritage Hall, Melham Medical Center, Broken Bow, Nebraska. She was the youngest of six children. The Shaw family came to Custer County in 1910 settling on a farm near Berwyn where Ethel entered school. In 1919, the family moved to the Happy Hollow School District south of Berwyn and she attended school there through the 11th grade. She graduated from the Ansley High School with the Class of ‘26 and attended Kearney State Normal College receiving an advanced teaching certificate. Ethel taught at the Flat Bottom School near Cumro for 3-1/2 years. On February 24, 1929, Ethel was united in marriage to Francis Huffman at the Baptist Parsonage in Ansley. She and Francis made their home for several years on a farm near the South Loup River. They had two children, Illene and Ivyl. In 1941, the family moved to Fort Wayne, Indiana. Francis was employed with the Fruehauf Trailer Company during WWII. Because of Francis’ illness, they moved to Ansley in 1948. They operated the Sinclair gas station and motel for several years. Francis died October 21, 1971. Ethel was employed as secretary at the Ansley School in 1964 until her retirement in 1989. She was a member of the United Methodist Church at Ansley where she served as treasurer for more than 20 years. Ethel enjoyed being with her family, working at her church, volunteering in her community and taking care of her yard. Bowling was one of her favorite pastimes. She was league secretary for many years, bowled in more than 30 years of Nebraska tournaments and several national tournaments. At the age of 97, Ethel broke her hip and had to quit bowling. Survivors include her daughter, Illene Drake and husband Rollie of Axtell; son, Ivyl Huffman and wife JoAnn of Wilcox; grandson Edward Huffman and wife Diane of Belton, Missouri; granddaughters Sandra Huffman of Wilcox, and Stephanie Waite and husband Jeff of Harrisburg, South Dakota; and four great-grandchildren, Joel, Lindsay, Jared and Alyssa. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents; five brothers, George, Charlie, Reuben, Howard, and infant brother; and one sister, Helen. Visitation will be held Friday, November 23, 2012, at the Govier Brothers Mortuary in Broken Bow. Coffee and donuts can be shared with the family an hour before the Saturday service at the Ansley church. A memorial has been established in her memory and kindly suggested to the United Methodist Church, Ansley, or Heritage Hall, Melham Medical Center, Broken Bow, Nebraska. Expressions of caring and kindness may be sent to the family at www.govierbrothers.com Govier Brothers Mortuary & Crematory in Broken Bow is in charge of the arrangements.