Elizabeth "Beth" Rains

Broken Bow, NE- Beth Rains, age 89 of Broken Bow, passed away December 5, 2014 at the Jennie M. Melham Memorial Medical Center in Broken Bow. Elizabeth Ann (Leberman) Rains was born on June 2, 1925, at Culbertson, NE, the daughter of Rex Hugo Leberman and Eola (Page) Leberman. She attended grade school at Gering, NE, and graduated from Sidney, NE High School in 1943. She soon entered nurses’ training at West Nebraska Methodist Hospital in Scottsbluff, graduating in January 1946. She then became employed in Lincoln, NE as an assistant Head Nurse at Bryan Memorial Hospital and later as a doctors’ office nurse. It was here that she met her future husband, Earnest M. Rains. They were married in Scottsbluff, NE on August 24, 1947. After her husband graduated from the University of Nebraska in 1948, the couple moved to Middletown, OH, where Earnie was on the corporate marketing staff of Armco, Inc. They lived in that area of Ohio for most of Earnie's career and raised a family. Beth continued her education, both professionally and in personal development. She attended evening college, receiving her B.A. degree in Psychology from Miami University (Ohio) in 1974. She also undertook a number of courses and workshops in arts, crafts, needlework, calligraphy and photography. From 1975 to 1984 she was employed as a psychiatric nurse and day treatment therapist at Middletown Area Mental Health Center. Beth devoted a great amount of time and energy to civic activities, including Middletown Homemakers’ Circle 8, Toastmistress Club, American Legion Post #218 Auxiliary, and Community Day Hospital. She also worked with her husband in the activities of the University of Nebraska Alumni Association. After Earnie's retirement, Beth and Earnie moved from Ohio to Broken Bow in October 1988, where they continued their involvement in community activities. Beth was a member of the Broken Bow Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors and served as president of the JMMMMC Hospital Auxiliary for several years. She found her work with the Custer County Hospice to be especially rewarding, and received the Volunteer of the Year award. She set up the Earnest M. Rains Memorial Scholarship through the Custer County Foundation, awarded annually to a graduating senior of Broken Bow High School. For the past few years, Beth lived in an apartment at Liberty Square at JMMMMC, and was well regarded by the staff and residents. Beth was preceded in death by her husband of almost 45 years, Earnest McArthur "Earnie" Rains, who died in 1992, and by her sister Alma Louise Tompsett. She is survived by their two children: Stephen Edward Rains of Middletown, Ohio and Elizabeth Ann "Eann" Rains of Tigard, Oregon, their spouses, four grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, Earnie's sister Embree Anne Learned of Grand Island, NE, eight nieces and nephews and their families, and many friends. A visitation will be held on Friday, December 12, from 4:00 to 6:00 pm at Govier Brothers Mortuary in Broken Bow. A memory book may be signed during the visitation. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, December 13, 2014 at 1:30 pm at the United Methodist Church in Broken Bow, followed by interment at Custer Center Cemetery. Arrangements by Govier Brothers Mortuary. Memorials to Jennie M. Melham Memorial Medical Center, the Custer County Foundation, or a charity of the donor's choice.