Karen Darby
Karen R. Darby, 70, of Lexington, Nebraska, died suddenly at her home, Monday, April 20, 2009, in Lexington, Nebraska.
She was born October 27, 1938, at Eustis, Nebraska, to Ray A. and Neva B. (Hess) Rupe.
Karen's primary education was in Eustis, Nebraska and then graduated from Lexington High School with the class of 1956.
She was united in marriage to Philip E. Darby, Jr. on July 22, 1956, at the United Methodist Church in Lexington. Six beautiful daughters were blessed to this marriage; Sara Jane, Jennifer Jo, Luanne Rae, Linda Kae, Patricia Ann and Karla Lynn. 
Following her marriage Karen was employed at Kjar Hay & Grain, the United Methodist Church, the City of Lexington as assistant City Clerk and then Shoe Mart, which she opened with her daughter, Linda in 1988. It was a joy walking in to Shoe Mart and seeing Karen's smiling face.
Karen was a faithful member of the First United Methodist Church for 50+ years as well as the Methodist Choir. She was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Business and Professional Women, Musicale, Studio 25 and Tri-County Hospital Auxiliary.
Karen absolutely loved life, she loved her family, especially the grandchildren, traveling with Ed and her friends, music, Nebraska football, reading, volunteering at church, art and working in her yard. She will be eternally beautiful in Heaven's light.
Survivors include her husband: Philip E. "Ed" Darby of Lexington, Nebraska. Six daughters: Sara Jane Darby of Omaha, Nebraska, Jennifer Jo and Scott Mitchell of Grand Island, Nebraska, Luanne Rae Gesell of Norfolk, Nebraska, Linda Kae and Rick Petet of Steamboat Springs, Colorado, Patricia Ann Reiners of Lincoln, Nebraska, Karla Lynn & Roger Schmidt of Grand Island, Nebraska. One sister: Gloria & Harold Benzel of Dixon, California Eight grandchildren: Liza Jo & Chad Lorenz of Washington, DC, Clair Olivia Schmidt of Grand Island, Nebraska, Philip Payton Schmidt of Kearney, Nebraska, Cameron Lee Petet of Durango, Colorado, Erin Darby Gesell of Omaha, Nebraska, Darby Linn Reiners of Lincoln, Nebraska, Sydney Kae Reiners of Lincoln, Nebraska, Tanner John Gesell of Norfolk, Nebraska. One great-granddaughter: Tatum Kay Kime of Grand Island, Nebraska as well as nieces, nephews, other relatives and a host of friends.
Karen was preceded in death by her parents and one sister, Donna Linn.
A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held Friday, April 24, 2009, at 11:00 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Lexington, Nebraska with Reverend Todd Karges officiating. Karen's body will not be present at the church. Visitation will be Thursday, April 23, 2009, from 4-7 p.m. at the Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington. Karen's body will then be cremated. Inurnment will be held at a later date in the Methodist Church Columbarium.
Memorials are suggested to the Lexington Community Foundation, the First United Methodist Church or the Donor's Choice.
Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington is in charge of arrangements. Online expressions of sympathy may be directed to: www.reynoldslovefuneralhome
- Maiden Name: Rupe
Kermit Debban
Kermit R. Debban, 86 of Kearney passed away Saturday, November 1, 2025 at his home surrounded by family. Private graveside services will be held at a later date.
Memorials are suggested to the family for future designation. Condolences may be shared online at www.osrfh.com. Services are entrusted to O’Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral and Cremation Services.
Kermit was born January 1, 1939 in Elwood, NE to Marvin and Elsie (Meyer) Debban. He attended Lexington Public Schools and later graduated from Lexington High School. Kermit was united in marriage to Glenda Kay Armagost on October 15, 1960 in Cozad, NE Kermit was a longtime resident of Lexington, NE where he worked as an estimator, salesman and painter for Mead Lumber Co. for many years. For the past nine years Kermit resided in Kearney, NE. 
Kermit was a past member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Lexington and was a current member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Kearney. He enjoyed refinishing old furniture, old scale model tractors, target shooting, collecting guns and coin collecting. Kermit was also a member of Card Club and Dance Club. He was a true man of faith and was known as “One Heck of A Nice Guy.”
Left to cherish his memory are his daughters, Brenda (Tracy) Wolf of Lexington, DeeDee Debban of Kearney, Kandee R. Nourse of Greeley, CO; grandchildren, Amanda (Ryan) Koch of Seward, NE, Abby (Josh) Johnson of Kearney, Brody Jackson of Greeley, CO, Logan (Amalia) Jackson of Asheville, NC, Lavinia Jackson of Greeley, CO, Tyler Koch of Seward, NE, Ezra, Elias, Jocelyn Johnson of Kearney and Sophia Jackson of Asheville, NC; as well as many extended family and friends.
Kermit was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Glenda Kay (Armagost) Debban; sister, La Donna Kutz; son-in-law, Eric Nourse; mother-in-law and father-in-law, Doris and William Armagost.
Lorretta Dewey
Lorretta R. (Kugler) Dewey, 68, of Cozad, Nebraska, died Monday, March 17, 2008, at Southview Manor Golden Living Center in Cozad. She was born July 9, 1939, at Lexington, Nebraska, to Carl and Helen (Resch) Kugler.
Lorretta was raised in Lexington and graduated from Lexington High School with the class of 1956, she graduated with Honors at the top of her class. She then served three years in the Army WAC Division. Following her time in the service, she returned to the Lexington area. In her later years, she spent many happy times at Parkview Villa in Gothenburg and later at the Golden Living Center in Cozad.
She enjoyed crafts, socializing, sewing, playing the piano and being with her family.
Survivors include two daughters: Deborah & Wendell Tobaben of Cozad, Nebraska Marilyn & Rich Twehous of Lincoln, Nebraska. Two sisters: June & Don Coover of Lexington, Nebraska Paulette & Virgil Gardner of Granbury, Texas. Two grandchildren: Carly & Will Twehous of Lincoln, Nebraska. Lorretta was preceded in death by her parents; one daughter, JoAnn and one brother, Richard Kugler.
Mass of Christian Burial will be Wednesday, March 19, 2008, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Ann's Catholic Church in Lexington, Nebraska with Father Paul Colling officiating. Burial will be in St. Ann's Catholic Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Tuesday, March 18, 2008, from 4-6 p.m. with Wake Service to follow at 6:00 p.m. all held at the Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington.
A Memorial has been established, for Mass Intentions to St. Ann's Catholic Church or North American Martyrs Catholic Church in Lincoln, Nebraska. Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington is in charge of arrangements.
- Maiden Name: Kugler
Myrna Eggleston
Myrna J. Eggleston, 82 of Lexington passed away Sunday, December 20, 2020 at the Plum Creek Health Care Community in Lexington.
Myrna was born February 1, 1938 in Lexington to Paul and Mary (Brummet) Whittaker. She attended school in Lexington and graduated from Lexington High School with the Class of 1956. On March 24, 1957 she was united in marriage to Glenn Eggleston at the Evangelical Free Church in Lexington. To this union five children were born: Linda, Doug, Terry, Dave and Ann. Glenn preceded her in death on October 30, 2017.
Glenn and Myrna lived in several different communities, but Lexington was their home. Myrna performed various jobs outside the home, but raising her children was her main priority.
Myrna was an awesome cook, her bread, noodles, wedding cakes and Christmas cookies and candy were her specialties. She also enjoyed square dancing, gardening, canning and making floral arrangements.
Myrna was a loving mother, grandmother & great grandmother. Her kids and grandkids were her pride and joy.
Myrna was a member of the Berean Bible Church in Lexington.
Survivors include two sons; Doug (Ann) Eggleston of Sumner, Dave (Jayne) Eggleston of Cozad; two daughters; Linda Leibert of Cozad and Ann Sleicher of Kearney; one brother, Jerry (Donna) Whittaker of Lexington, one sister, Paula Blodgett of Lexington, brothers and sisters-in law; Marilyn Whittaker of Kearney, Bonnie Eggleston of Oconto, Roger Casey of Houston, Texas, LaVonne (Gene) Oxford of Broken Bow, Loraine ( Delbert ) Rogers of Franklin, Charles (Vicky) Eggleston of Gothenburg, Lloyd (Sandy) Eggleston of Broken Bow, Judy (Maynard) Struempler of Oconto, Jane (Nick) Liakos of Lawrence, Kansas, thirteen grandchildren, twenty-four great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
Myrna was preceded in death by her parents, husband, son, Terry; son-in-law, Steve Leibert, brother Kenny, brothers-in-law; Marvin Blodgett, Kenneth Eggleston, Keith Eggleston, Ivan Eggleston; sisters-in-law; Ella Mae Casey, Beulah Eggleston and Violet Eggleston.
Funeral services will be held Monday, December 28, 2020 at 10:30 a.m. at the Berean Bible Church in Lexington with Pastor Tom Parker, officiating. The service will be live streamed via the Reynolds-Love Face Book Page. Social distancing and face masks are recommended.
Visitation will be held Sunday, December 27, 2020 from 2-4p.m. at the Berean Bible Church in Lexington. Interment will be in the Robb Cemetery, SE of Lexington. Memorials are suggested to the family for later designation.
Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington is honored to be assisting the family with arrangements. Please share online condolences with the family by visiting: reynoldslovefuneralhome.com
- Maiden Name: Whittaker
Janice Gulden
Janice Ann Phillippi Gulden, age 74, of Lexington, Nebraska, passed away peacefully September 21, 2013, at her daughter's home in Ogallala, surrounded by her eternal family.
Janice was born January 10, 1939, in Lexington to Leslie I. and Esther L. (Passage) Phillippi of Smithfield, Nebraska; she was the third of five children. Her childhood was happy and filled with love.
She attended a rural school near their farm house in Gosper County, attended fifth grade in Smithfield, then attended the Lutheran Parochial School for grades 6, 7, & 8 in Lexington. She graduated from Lexington High School in 1956.
Following her graduation, she worked as a nurse's aide, waitress at the Cornland Hotel and then worked for Northwestern Bell Telephone at the Lexington office.
She married Darryn W. Gulden of Lexington on June 22, 1958. Four daughters were blessed to this happy union: Pam, Kristy, Robin and Penny.
Being a wife and mother was central to Janice's life. She was a constant example of Christ, especially evident in the nurturing of her husband, daughters and their spouses, her grandchildren, friends and relatives.
Her devotion to her husband was apparent to those who knew her best. She shared many things with him including farming, gardening, canning, traveling, cooking, sewing & knitting, hunting, fishing, and crafts.
She was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Lexington and most recently, following her relocation to Ogallala, was active in the United Methodist Church at Ogallala.
She was involved in Hospice, Relay for Life, Deacon, a Sunday School teacher, Prayer Shawl group, Reach for Recovery, Regular Bunko group member, UMC Circle, numerous Bible studies, babysitting four of her favorite kids; Andrea, Aaron, Joseph, and Whitney, and together, with her husband, was her grandchildren's biggest fans to all activities and endeavors.
Janice's legacy will be best remembered in her fight with breast cancer in the 80's. She aided research by volunteering to become a bone marrow transplant recipient in its infant stages – before stem cell research advanced. She continued to contribute research in the long-term study (ies) of its effects. She was one of a minority number of breast cancer victims to survive the procedure during that period of research; science and Faith afforded her twenty-seven years of quality life following her initial diagnosis. She has since been an advocate for a cure to breast cancer through her active involvement in Reach for Recovery and Relay for Life. Above all, she was an inspiration to many facing a similar challenge.
Survivors include her four daughters and their husbands; Pam (Mike) Abbott of Ogallala, Nebraska, Kristy (Jerry) Acton of Firth, Nebraska; Robin (Rod) Ford of Bertrand, Nebraska; and, Penny (Shayne) Hite of Grant, Nebraska; two brothers, Boyd (JoAnn) Phillippi of Cozad, Nebraska; and, Robert (Beverly) Phillippi of Johnson Lake, Nebraska; one sister, Veronica (Darrel) LaVene of Bertrand, Nebraska; two sisters-in-law, Dorothy (the late Don) Phillippi of Elwood Reservoir, and, Carolyn (Leon) Malzahn of Johnson Lake; an aunt by marriage; Eva Kirkpatrick of Lexington, Nebraska; nine grandchildren; Harrison, Maggie and Emily Abbott, Nathan and Courtney Acton, Philip Ford, MacKenzie, Quinton, and Triston Hite; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.
Janice was preceded in death by her husband, parents, a brother, father and mother-in-law, and one granddaughter.
Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be Tuesday, September 24, 2013, at 11:00 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church in Lexington with Reverend Caroline Vickery officiating.
Interment will be held prior at 9:30 a.m. in the Greenwood Cemetery at Lexington. All are welcome to attend.
Visitation will be held Monday, September 23, 2013, from 5-8 p.m. at the Reynolds-Love Chapel in Lexington.
Memorials are suggested to UNMC Cancer Research Support Fund, your local Hospice or the Donor's Choice.
Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington is in charge of arrangements. Please share online condolences with the family through: reynoldslovefuneralhome.com.
- Maiden Name: Phillippi