Violet Lelan Gibbs (Orchard)

Funeral Services for Violet L. Gibbs age 86 of Orchard will be held Monday December 21, 2009 at the St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Orchard. Visitation for Violet will be 1 Hr. prior to service at the St. Peter's Lutheran Church. Burial will be in the Orchard Hill Cemetery.

Violet L. Gibbs was born at Orchard Nebraska on February 15, 1923 to John H. and Jennie (Hale) Eley. She passed away December 18, 2009, in Neligh Nebraska at the age of 86 years, 10 months and 2 days.

From Orchard, Nebraska at the age of 6 years old the family moved to New York state. At the age of 9 years they moved to Martin, SD and in 1935 returned to the farm north of Orchard. Violet worked in an aircraft factory during the war years and at Sears & Roebucks. She graduated from Orchard High School in 1941 and earned a Teachers Certificate from Wayne State College. Violet taught school in Cherry and Antelope County for several years. She married Lionel T. Gibbs on September 20, 1947, together they raised two children and purebred Charolais cattle.

She is a member of St. Peter Lutheran Church of Orchard. Violet enjoyed visiting with her neighbors, friends and family, especially her great-grandchildren. Her door was always open and a piece of pie or cake was always prepared. Violet moved to Topeka, KS in 2002 and returned to Neligh in 2008.

Survivors include son, Steven of Lyndon, KS, daughter Mrs. Rick (Susan) Meyer of Topeka, KS, grandchildren Travis and Allison, their spouses and six great-grandchildren; two brothers John H. Eley of Orchard and Gilbert B. Eley of Lincoln; and many nieces, nephews and family members. Violet was preceded in death by her parents, husband Lionel, (March 7, 2004), and infant brother. Violet L. Gibbs will now rest in peace at the Orchard Hills Cemetery, Orchard, Nebraska.

Memorial contributions can be directed to the American Diabetic Assoc. or the Orchard Historical Society.