Nancy Duryea

Nancy Duryea 83 of Merna, NE died Thursday April 23, 2015 at the Golden Living Center in Broken Bow. Funeral services for Naomi “Nancy” Duryea will be held Monday April 27, 2015, at 10:30 AM at the United Methodist Church in Merna, NE with Reverend Andrew Black. Burial will be in the Merna Cemetery with Govier Bros. Mortuary of Broken Bow in charge of the arrangements. A lunch will be served at the Merna Community Building following the services. Visitation will be held Sunday April 26, 1:00 PM to 6:00 PM with the family greeting friends 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm at Govier Brothers Mortuary, Broken Bow Nebraska. Naomi Doling Duryea was born on March 25 1932 to Sam and Golda Spencer Doling (Busby) in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. She was one of seven children. Because of health issues the family moved Nancy to a farm between Gentry and Decatur, AR. Nancy grew up learning the hard work of picking fruit and vegetables in the many fields of Northeastern Arkansas. Naomi graduated from high school at Decatur, AR where she started on the girl’s basketball team. Nancy met her husband Elden when he moved with his family to a farm down the road, coming from Nebraska. Elden was in the Army at the time and their love blossomed and they were married on Christmas Eve in Alma, Arkansas in 1951. They moved back to Nebraska after their marriage where their oldest son, Dean was born. They moved back to Arkansas the following year and a second son, Richard joined the family. In 1958, they returned to Nebraska where two more sons, Randy and George joined their family. Nancy loved her family and she especially loved Sunday dinners which were always an adventure. You never knew who was going to show up around noon on Sunday. Amazingly, Nancy never ran out of food. In 1970, Nancy started her cooking career as a school cook at Anselmo-Merna School. For 38 years she worked beside a wonderful group of ladies who fed two generations and started into a third of Anselmo-Merna Coyotes. After retirement she continued to bake her famous rolls and cinnamon rolls for all who cared to enjoy them. Nancy was preceded in death by her husband Elden of 38 years in 1989, her parents, 2 brothers and 1 sister, and two infant siblings. Nancy is survived by four sons: Dean (Gloria) Duryea, of Merna, Richard (LeAnn) Duryea of Broken Bow, Randy (Gayle) Duryea of Merna, and George (Tanya) Duryea of Broken Bow, many Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren whom loved her very much, and a brother John Doling, Denver Colorado. Nancy’s extended family included her many nieces and nephews, friends, strays and everyone else who needed a friend or a hot meal. Memorials may be sent to Midwest Heart Connection and A-M Alumni Scholarship Fund.