Ray Ehlers

Raymond Fred Henry Ehlers, 89, of Lexington, Nebraska, passed away on Wednesday, December 10, 2025, at Gateway Vista in Lincoln, Nebraska. He was born on October 6, 1936, in Nebraska City, Nebraska, to Louis and Letha Ehlers and was the second of five children.
Ray graduated from Syracuse High School in 1954, where he participated in football, basketball, track, and band. The values and experiences gained through these activities shaped his life and guided the positive impact he had on countless others.
He attended Peru State College, lettering in both football and basketball, and graduated in 1958 with a Bachelor of Science in Education. In 2017, Ray was honored with induction into the Peru State Athletic Hall of Fame.
Ray began his coaching career in the fall of 1958 in Fullerton, Nebraska, where he spent ten wonderful years. During that time, he met Patricia Lynn McBride of Belgrade, and they were united in marriage on June 4, 1961. He earned his Master of Administration degree from Kearney State College in 1966.
After two years in Blair, Nebraska, the Ehlers family moved to Lexington in 1969. Ray’s passion was providing the best opportunities for every student and emphasizing the life lessons learned through activities at Lexington High School. As Athletic/Activities Director, he made it a priority to attend all home and away events to support the Minutemen and Minutemaids always with an encouraging voice and vigorous clapping. He was instrumental in establishing girls’ athletic programs and expanding opportunities for junior high students. Ray also coordinated numerous AAU events for area youth, served as the City Parks and Recreation Director, managed the Dawson County Fair, and was a proud member of the Lions Club for sixty years. The Ehlers family were members of Grace Lutheran Church, where Ray held several synodical offices throughout the years.
Ray was named the Nebraska High School Athletic Director of the Year in 1979. While serving Lexington Public Schools, he was also elected to the Nebraska School Activities Association Board of Control, where he served for nine years. He took great pride in representing student athletes across the state and supporting the growth of school activities. In 1995, he was honored as the National Athletic Director of the Year by the National Federation of High School Athletics. Upon his retirement in 1999, after twenty-nine years as a Minuteman, Ray was humbled to have the stadium at Lexington High School named in his honor.
Following retirement, Ray remained deeply involved in high school athletics and devoted several years to helping establish the Nebraska High School Sports Hall of Fame. He was inducted as a contributor in 2007. He also served on the Lexington School Board for ten years. Never one to sit idle, Ray enjoyed working for area farmers, ranchers, and harvest crews, as well as taking annual fishing trips to Canada with “the crew.” Until his stroke in 2016, he faithfully followed the activities of his grandchildren across Nebraska, Texas, Illinois, and Colorado.
Ray is survived by his wife of 64 years, Pat; son Brent and wife, Laura Lee Ehlers of Greeley, CO; daughter Trish Ehlers of Palatine, IL; and son Britt and wife, Megan Ehlers of Lincoln, NE. He is also survived by grandchildren Rafe and wife, Renee Ehlers of Fort Worth, TX; Ryanne Ehlers of Fort Worth, TX; Charlie Henry of Palatine, IL; Ellie Henry and fiancé Nick Shilhavy of Brookfield, WI; and Lizzie, Addie, and Ben Ehlers, all of Lincoln, NE. Great-grandchildren include Emryn and Truitt Ehlers of Fort Worth, TX. Additional survivors include his brother Kurt and wife, Charla Ehlers of Torrington, WY; sister-in-law Howie Ehlers of Ellensburg, WA; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Louis and Letha Ehlers; sister Jeannine and her husband, Larry Lucas; sister Roleen and her husband, Joy Watermeier; brother Jerry Ehlers; in laws George and Mabel McBride; and, most recently, brother-in-law Chuck McBride.
Visitation will be held on Monday, December 22, at Lexington High School beginning at 5:00 p.m., with remembrances at 6:00 p.m.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, December 23, at 10:00 a.m. at Grace Lutheran Church in Lexington, followed by burial at Greenwood Cemetery. A luncheon will follow at Grace Lutheran Church.
Memorials in Ray’s name are suggested to the Nebraska High School Sports Hall of Fame, the Lexington Lions Club, or a future Lexington High School athletic display.
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

Frances Ellis

Frances Carolyne Ellis, 99, of Lexington, Nebraska passed away on July 16, 2026, at The Lighthouse long-term care facility in Omaha, Nebraska. Her daughter and son were by her side.

She was born on December 8,1926 in a farmhouse outside of Wilcox, Nebraska to Fred William Amen and Edith Anna (Peterson) Amen. One of three children, Frances grew up on the farm and attended public school in Ragan, Nebraska where she graduated with the class of 1944. She went on to attend Nebraska State Teachers College at Kearney, Nebraska (now the University of Nebraska at Kearney) and received a B.A. in Education in 1948. Following graduation she started her teaching career in Holbrook, Nebraska where she met her future husband Robert Dale Ellis. Frances and Robert were married August 8,1954 in Ragan, Nebraska and welcomed two children: Nancy and Jim

Frances taught at several public schools in central Nebraska including Aurora, Axtell, Cozad and ultimately Lexington where the family settled and she spent most of her life. In Lexington she spent most of her teaching career in the middle school where she taught English and Typing.

Frances was known for her adventurous spirit and sense of humor. During her life she was active in numerous organizations including Soroptimists, Delta Kappa Gamma and the Philanthropic Educational Organization (PEO) among many others. Having grown up during the depression she recognized how critical education was to her life and even after a long teaching career continued to tutor children well into her retirement. She was active in her local church – First United Methodist Church – and served on numerous church committees. Frances was on the founding advisory committee for the development of the local YMCA, of which she took great pride.

She grew up a self-described “tom boy” and throughout her life attended and participated in all forms of sporting activities. In retirement she grew to love the game of golf and spent many happy hours playing and of course socializing at Lakeside Country Club with her golfing friends. She later travelled to Scotland to visit and play at the St. Andrews Golf Club. Sports provided an opportunity for Frances to spend time with her family. She attended many University of Nebraska sporting events with her children, grandchildren and friends. She loved baseball including the College World Series in Omaha and travelled with her son to see major league baseball games in multiple cities. She also attended the 1993 NCAA Basketball Final Four in New Orleans with a friend from Lexington, where they had many adventures.

After growing up on the farm she developed a lifelong fondness for animals. Throughout her life the house always had multiple pets; dogs, cats, birds, fish etc. Pets brought her great happiness and will continue to be the source of fond memories for her family and friends.

Frances is survived by her son Jim Ellis of Minneapolis, Minnesota and daughter Nancy Rice and husband Greg of Omaha, Nebraska; grandchildren Katharine (Rice) Kowal and her husband Chris of Omaha and Rebecca (Rice) Thomas and her husband Kevin of San Francisco, California; great-grandchildren Quinn, Christopher and Claire Kowal of Omaha.
Frances was preceded in death by her parents, husband Robert, sister Mary W. (Amen) Ericson and brother John W. Amen.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, July 30, 2026, from 5-7 p.m. at Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington.

A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, July 31, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Lexington with Reverend Venedith Vargas officiating.

There will be a reception to follow the service at Mac's Creek Winery & Brewery from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Graveside Services will be held prior to the Memorial Service at 9:30 a.m. at Greenwood Cemetery in Lexington.

Memorials are kindly suggested to the First United Methodist Church of Lexington or to your local animal shelter or humane society.

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

Kay Garrelts

Kathleen Lynette Darby Garrelts, better known as Mom and Grandma to her family, Kay to her many friends, and Mrs. Garrelts to her many, many students, graduated this life on Wednesday, November 5th, 2025.

Kay was born January 2nd, 1945, to Richard and Gwendolyn (Burton) Darby of Pleasanton, Nebraska. She was the 2nd of 12 siblings. On March 24, 1967 she married her love, Robert Garrelts. 1967 was a big year for Kay. She and Robert welcomed their daughter Melinda and she graduated from Kearney State College with a Teaching Degree. She began her 40-year teaching career in Wilcox but soon moved her family to Lexington, where she continued teaching until her retirement. In 1972, her family was completed when her son Matthew was born.

Kay taught at Morton Elementary until she was tapped to teach at the new elementary school, Sandoz. It was an exciting time, being in a brand new building and part of a brand new staff, teaching developmental and standard kindergarten. Kay moved to first grade but ultimately landed in her 3rd grade classroom, where she found the most joy.

Kay earned the prestigious Getty Grant, that provided Sandoz with many Apple Computers and gave her the opportunity to travel to many places, honing her curriculum writing skills. There was nothing Kay liked more than watching her student’s eyes light up when they too found their passion for computers. Kay touched so many lives through teaching her students, well over 1000 in 40 years, their parents, her fellow teachers and many friends. When out and about, it was rare that she didn’t find someone to talk to.

Robert passed away in 1987, when Kay was 42 years old. She had a strong will, which she needed to continue on, raising her family alone. Kay never remarried, and eventually moved to Johnson Lake spending 20 years in her cabin on the lake. Early mornings were spent on her swing with a cup of coffee, watching the water. Kay loved to read and belonged to book clubs in the area. She also loved quilting, and belonged to the area Quilt Guild. Hours were spent sewing. She was active with her friends at the lake playing Bunco and traveling to Eustis to swim for the exercise.

Kay, most of all was a mother. She appreciated Melinda for her intellect and for the many hours they spent together: watching Nebraska Volleyball, eating out and the many, many shopping trips. She was so proud of Matt, not only as her son but as a father. And, there wasn’t a person she met that didn’t hear about her son Matt, the deputy sheriff. She loved her granddaughters, Emily and Madi, with all her heart. Teaching Emily how to make her famous French Toast, and showing Madi how to sew were some of her happiest times.

Kay’s memories will carry on through her children, Melinda Garrelts of Lexington and Matthew Garrelts of Bertrand; grandchildren, Emily and Madilyn of Lexington; and siblings: Richard (Min) Darby, Karen McCaslin, Ardith Shipley, Ronald (Beverley) Darby, Dee (Joe) Fairbanks, Bobbi (Tim) Walker, Jim (Heidi) Darby, Kelly (Carl) Darby – McClure, and Jon (Jody) Darby.

Besides her parents, Kay was preceded in death by her husband, Robert; sisters, Cheryl Chilen and Bette Garlow; and her in-laws, Henry and Elnora Garrelts.

Memorials can be directed to the family towards Kay’s favorite local groups.

A Celebration of Life will be held Sunday, November 23, 2025 at 1pm at the Masonic Center on 9th and Washington in Lexington. A light meal will follow the Celebration.

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

Mrs. Donna Pursley

Donna Elizabeth Gardner Pursley (97) passed away peacefully at her home in Peoria, Arizona on June 3, 2026.

She was born in Max, Nebraska on April 5, 1929. She was a devoted Christian and prayed for her family every day which included her sons, Scott and Craig, their wives, Kate and Julie, seven grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren.

She was loved by so many in her circle and will be missed.

• Maiden Name: Gardner