Funeral services for 95-year old Elvera Varvel are Tues, Jan 25, 2022 at 10:00 at the Zion Lutheran Church in Hay Springs, NE, with Pastor Wierschke officiating.
A memorial has been established for Lister Sage Center or Pioneer Manor. Donations can be sent to Chamberlain Drabbels Mortuary, PO Box 443, Hay Springs, NE 69347.
Online condolences can be made at www.chamberlainchapel.com.
Elvera Varvel was born April 27, 1926 in Hay Springs to Anton and Viola Rasmussen and passed away on January 19, 2022 at Pioneer Manor in Hay Springs.
Elvera grew up south of Hay Springs on west Mirage Flats. She attended country school through the 8th grade, then went to Hay Springs High School, where she graduated in 1943.
Later that year, she married her high school sweetheart, James Varvel. They were married for 67 years until his death.
They lived in the Hay Springs area for most of their lives, where they raised their family of four children, except for a short stint of 5 years when they lived at Oral, SD, southeast of Hot Springs, SD.
Elvera was a homemaker and mother. She enjoyed cooking, gardening, raising her children, and helping her husband. Her home-made angel food cakes, bread, rolls, and pies were enjoyed by family and friends alike.
She was active in her church and helped with many dinners and activities at the church, which included the annual rummage sale.
She was also a member of the American Legion Auxiliary for many years.
Elvera lived at Prairie Pines Lodge in Chadron, NE, for 6 years before residing at Pioneer Manor in Hay Springs until her death.
She was preceded in death by her husband, James, infant son Kenneth, son Gary, son-in-law Dennis Moreno, parents, brothers Paul, Carl, and Norman Rasmussen; sisters-in-law Lorene Jones, Elvera Rasmussen, Mary Anne Rasmussen Anderson; brother-in-law Maurice Jones; niece Teresa Jones Poe; and nephews Eugene Rasmussen and Dennis Rasmussen.
She is survived by sons George (Trudy) Varvel of Alliance, Bryan (Karen) Varvel of Olathe, KS; daughter Shirley Morava of Crawford; and daughter-in-law Bonnie Varvel of Lincoln, NE; sister-in-law Doris Rasmussen of Missoula, MT; 10 grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
Chamberlain Drabbels Mortuary of Hay Springs is in charge of arrangements for Elvera Varvel.