Myrldean Govier

Laura Myrldean (Robertson) Govier was born in Myron, Arkansas on July 18, 1925, to parents Frank and Agnes (Biggers) Robertson. As a child during the great depression, she moved with her family to Council Hill, Oklahoma, where she learned the meaning of hard work while on the family cotton farm. She began picking cotton at four years of age, with a tiny bag her mother made from a flour sack, alongside her siblings and hired adult workers. Myrldean and her six siblings grew very close working the farm and remained so the rest of their lives, despite living in multiple states. After graduating from high school in Council Hill, Oklahoma, where she earned the nickname “Dink” for her small but quick frame on the basketball court, Myrldean moved to Oklahoma City where she was employed as a medical secretary in an orthopedic hospital. She met her future husband, Everett Govier, on a blind date when he was In Oklahoma City on R & R waiting deployment overseas for combat duty as a pilot in WWII. When the war ended, they continued to correspond and Myrldean decided to enroll at the University of Nebraska alongside Everett in the fall of 1946. The couple married in Grand Island November 27, 1946, over Thanksgiving break.

After residing in St. Louis where Everett studied Mortuary Science, they purchased their first funeral home in Broken Bow, Nebraska. They were later joined by her brother-in-law George Govier, purchased two more funeral homes in the area, and Myrldean became a funeral director. She loved Broken Bow and divided her time between supporting the growing business, raising a family of five children, and devoting time to civic endeavors including Past President of the VFW Auxiliary, Legion Auxiliary, Cosmopals, Past Worthy Matron of Eastern Star, Past Nobel of Grand Rebekahs, and the Hospital Auxiliary. While supporting her community and business, she found time to pursue her passion of preparing her children and other young people for opportunities that she did not have growing up. She became a 4-H leader so she could teach life skills, particularly public speaking, and taught Red Cross swimming lessons. Myrldean was also an early champion for women’s sports, coaching a fast pitch softball team where she expected hard work and skilled play, but emphasized sportsmanship. An accomplished seamstress, she made the majority of her children's clothes, including cheerleading skirts, prom dresses, and bridesmaids' dresses. Myrldean moved to Lakeside Retirement Village in Omaha after Everett passed in 2009, where she met new friends, continued playing bridge, and added beading and bingo to her repertoire. There, she peacefully joined her Lord on December 18, 2023.

Myrldean’s greatest love was her family. She is adored and survived by her children, Lana Marie Pleak of Blair, Nebraska, Dr. Ann Verlene Govier of Hendersonville, Tennessee, Dr. Fred Everett (Kathy) Govier of Seattle, Washington, Dr. Ruth Ellen Govier Brush of Denton, Texas, and Reba Govier (Scott) Spooner of Santa Clarita, California; thirteen grandchildren Mitchell (Carie) Pleak, Megan (Dustin) McMurray, Steven (Jenn) Zima, Dr. Laura (James) Zima, Andrea (Tanner) Govier, Brian Govier, Lauren (David) Govier, Erin (Kyle) Duncan, Tyler (Kate) Brush, Zachary (Joy) Brush, Gabrielle Spooner, Grant Spooner, and Nicole (Jake) Spooner.  She also has thirteen great-grandchildren including Melanie and Blaine Pleak, Ruby and Everett McMurray, Kennedy and Beckett Goode, Avery Yabusaki, Reese and Eliana Duncan, Nora and Hannah Brush, Evie and Callan Brush, as well as many nieces and nephews including Betty and Jerry (Mary Beth) Govier who grew up in Broken Bow. She was preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, Everett Othal Govier, her four brothers Spellman Robertson, J.F. Robertson, Herman Robertson, and Ewin Robertson, her two sisters Lois Pruitt and Thelma Branch, her brother-in-law and wife George and Dorothy Govier, and her son-in-law Kevin Brush.

Myrldean, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother will be missed by all who knew her, loved her, leaned on, and learned from her.

Funeral Services will be Thursday, December 28, 2023, at 10:30 am at Govier Brothers Chapel in Broken Bow, NE. Burial will follow in the Broken Bow Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the Broken Bow Library. A visitation will take place on Thursday, December 28^th from 9:30 am to service time at Govier Brothers Mortuary. Govier Brothers Mortuary are in charge of arrangements. Words of encouragement may be left at www.govierbrothers.com.