Darrell Myers

Darrell Dean Myers, 81, of the Lillian community, passed away on December 22, 2021, surrounded by his loving family.

Funeral Service will be Thursday, December 30, 2021, at 10:30 am at the Gates Community Center in Gates, NE with Steve Shanno officiating. Burial will be in the Lillian Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the Family to be designated to Darrell's medical caregivers. A visitation will take place on Wednesday, December 29^th from 1:00 to 7:00 pm with family greeting 5:00 to 7:00 pm at Govier Brothers Mortuary in Broken Bow. Govier Brothers Mortuary are in charge of arrangements. An online guest book may be signed at www.govierbrothers.com.

Darrell was born September 22, 1940, in Lillian, Nebraska, and was the youngest of three children born to Lloyd and Alma (Howell) Myers.

Darrell attended Lillian Grade School and Broken Bow High School.  He worked for Ayers Cothiers during high school.

His mechanical journey began following high school, working at various garages.  He was employed by Mestons Motors Ford Dealership and Anderson Equipment in Sargent.  In 1961, he followed cousin James Bonnell to Greely, Colorado, and worked for the Ford dealership.  In 1962, he returned home to help his dad with farming, after Lloyd experienced an injury.

In January 1963, he began dating the love of his life, Ruth Ann Spanel.  They were married May 4, 1963 and made their first home on the farm with his parents.  They continued to farm with Lloyd and Alma for several years. To this union, five children were born.  Bradley was born August 1964.  In 1966, Darrell and Ruth purchased and moved to their homeplace (from Aunt Ruth Bates).  Bradley passed on December 15, 1967, after a farming accident.  This was a difficult journey for Darrell and Ruth, but the birth of Robin, two months later in 1968, helped lessen the burden.  Annette, Amy, and Brent helped complete the family in 1969, 1972, and 1977 respectively.

Darrell and Ruth farmed for several years which included a dairy barn in early years.  Later on, they raised cattle and pigs. He also worked some for Perry Myers and Bill Bigbee. Darrell also worked for Trotter’s Service in Broken Bow as a fuel truck driver and as a station attendant.

After Darrell’s retirement from Trotter’s, he and Ruth started Myers Lamb Operation, which became known as Ewe View Farm.  The grandkids have many special memories of helping with chores and feeding bottle lambs.

Both were fully retired in 2011 and enjoyed attending the activities of the grandchildren and trips to Broken Bow eating at Betty’s Café.  A highlight of their travels was visiting James and Sharon Bonnell in Colorado.

Darrell loved driving race cars in his younger years, many fishing/camping trips, and he and Ruth especially enjoyed the deer hunting adventures with Jerry and Ginger Spanel.  After retirement, he enjoyed tractor rides, tractor pulls, and driving his prize possession of Case IH tractors in local parades with his family.  He and his son, Brent, restored each tractor of his collection.  The Sassy Massy most definitely being the family favorite.

Darrell is survived by his wife, Ruth, of Broken Bow, children Robin (Mark) Christen of Anselmo, Annette (Kyle) Geiser of Merna, Amy (Brett) Brunken of Burwell, and Brent (Rachelle) Myers of Broken Bow; grandchildren Michael, Gregory, Shaun (Tierney), and Megan Christen, Cole (Kayla), Trent, and Tara Geiser, Makenna and Jessica Brunken, and Kirsten, Quinten, and Rhianen Myers; and three great-grandchildren Brody and Bentley Geiser, and Eyla Christen.

Darrell was preceded in death by his son, Bradley Darrell, parents Lloyd and Alma Myers, stepmother Lacy Storms-Myers, parents-in-law Rudolph and Agnes Spanel, sisters JoAnne Miller and Leslea Holcomb, brothers-in-law Steve Holcomb, Ivan Coleman, Richard “Dick” Graybeal, and Gerald “Jerry” Spanel.

Darrell was well known for his teasing and sense of humor.  Even during his medical struggles, he shared his laughter and wit with family and those caring for him.  The family he raised was his pride and joy and most definitely his greatest accomplishment in life.  He helped create countless memories with these special people, all who will miss him dearly.