Patrick Powers

Patrick Leroy Powers, known by others as “Pat”, departed this life at the age of 91, at Custer Care Center Broken Bow, Nebraska, to begin his eternal life in heaven on August 1st, 2016. Pat was born June 18th, 1925 on a farm near Anselmo, Nebraska, to James “Jim” Powers and Ellen “Nellie” Coan Powers. Pat was baptized shortly after birth and God Parents were Nellie and Dave Roberts. He was confirmed and received First Holy Communion July 5th, 1936, sponsor was Paul Downey. He grew up in the Anselmo and Milburn area. He attended elementary school in Milburn and later went to school in Brewster, where he graduated the eighth grade. Pat went to work at an early age of 14 years old, to help support the family. He worked a long side his dad at the McMillan Ranch. On March 7th, 1945, Pat was enlisted in the Army branch of the Military. He was enlisted as a mechanic and sharp shooter. After completing basic training on April 1st, 1945 at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. Pat, then completed Infantry Training on July 28th, 1945 at Camp Maxey, Texas. He was enlisted in the Army and was transferred into the Navy prior to departing from the United States for the Asiatic Pacific Tour on September 9th, 1945. Pat was stationed in the Ryukyu Islands off of Japan. On July 1st, 1946. He was transferred back into the Army and returned to the USA on October 17th, 1946. Honorable discharge from the Military on November 30th, 1946, with decorations of Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal and Army Of Occupation Medal. Pat returned to Anselmo area and to work on the McMillan Ranch. He always enjoyed telling stories about the “Good Ole Days” while working at the “Ranch”. Pat was united in marriage to Opal Irene Mattson on February 26th, 1952, with Jim and Betty Tully as their attendants. To this union four children were born, Richard “Dick” James, Michael “Mike” Leroy, Tamara “Tammy” Jean and Cheryl Renee. In 1954, Pat moved his family to Broken Bow, where he was employed by the State Department of Roads for eleven years. In 1966 Pat relocated to Greeley Colorado, where he worked in construction until his retirement in 1988. He worked at the Fort Saint Vrain Nuclear Power Plant, Platteville, Colorado for 15 years. He also worked at other Power Plants around the Denver area. Pat moved back to Nebraska in Broken Bow, June 2013 to be closer to his family. He resided at Liberty Square Apartments until June of 2016. Pat enjoyed Colorado and going to the mountains frequently, driving through Rocky Mountain National Park and Estes Park. He took numerous pictures of the mountains and wildlife- especially elk, long horn sheep, deer, with an occasional moose and bear, then always enjoyed sharing them with his family during visits. Pat enjoyed fishing for trout in the numerous lakes of the mountains. He also enjoyed a great rodeo of the Greeley Stampede and Cheyenne Rodeo. Great carpenter and made numerous woodworking crafts and shared them with all his family, wishing wells, windmills, shadow boxes, etc. He was a great Bronco’s fan. Pat enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren. Pat was a very loving and caring father and grandfather. Pat is survived by- One sister, Lois Schmid. Children: Mike (Jill) Powers, Tammy (John) Meredith and Cheryl Daugherty. Grandchildren: Jerry (Jodi) Powers, Patrick (Shannon) Powers, Justin Powers, Shane (Nichole) Powers, Mindy Trent, Amanda (Jay) Moody, Jeremiah (Stephanie) Daugherty. Fourteen great grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren. Many nieces, nephews and extended family. Preceded in death by: Parents, James and Ellen Powers. Son, Richard Powers. Siblings, Mary Farmer, William Powers, Leverne McCarville, Patricia Ryan and Elizabeth Tully, Delma Powers. Brother- in- laws, Eldon Farmer, Leo Ryan, Leo Schmid and Jim Tully. Funeral services will be held Thursday August 4th, 2016 at 10 a.m. in Govier Brothers Chapel in Broken Bow with Minister Kathy Salts officiating. Visitation will be Wednesday August 3rd at Govier Brothers from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. with family greeting friends 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Inurnment will be Saturday August 6th at 10:30 a.m. in the Saint Anselm’s Cemetery at Anselmo, Ne. with military rites. A memorial will be selected at a later date.