Erna 'Jean' Wakefield

Monday, March 9, 2009

July 15, 1927 - March 6, 2009

HOLDREGE ‚ Mass of Christian Burial Services for Erna "Jean" Wakefield will be conducted from All Saints Catholic Church in Holdrege, Neb., on Thursday, March 12, 2009 at 2 p.m. with Father Thomas Lux officiating. Interment will be in the Prairie Home Cemetery at Holdrege.

Erna Jean (Kerst) Wakefield, 71 years of age, of Loomis, Neb., passed away on Friday, March 6, 2009, at Bryan LGH-East Hospital in Lincoln, Neb., following a courageous battle with heart problems.

Jean was born July 15, 1937 at Cambridge, Neb., the daughter of Wayne and Loleta (Harned) Kerst. She received her education at Bartley, Neb., graduating from Bartley High School with the class of 1955.

Following her education, Jean was united in marriage to Charles Wakefield on Nov. 10, 1958, at Saint Patrick's Catholic Church in McCook. To this union three daughters were born, Lori, Diane and Mary. The family made their home in McCook, where Jean was employed by the Saint Catherine Hospital. In 1966, they moved to Holdrege, where Jean continued her career in patient care at the Brewster Hospital until her retirement in 1972.

Jean was a devoted member of the All Saints Catholic Church, where she enjoyed many friendships formed as a member of the Legion of Mary. She was also a member of the Holdrege Does for many years. Jean enjoyed sewing, quilting, playing cards and surfing the Web on the computer. Most of all, Jean loved spending time with her family.

She leaves to mourn her passing her husband, Charles of Loomis; three daughters, Lori Wakefield, Diane Pribyl and her husband, Mark and Mary Wakefield, all of Dorchester, Neb.; one grandson, Codie Pribyl of Dorchester; three sisters-in-law, Mary Ellen Monzon and her husband, Victor of McCook, Lois Hudson and her husband, Duke of Helena, Mont., Pat Freddie and her husband, Erwin of McCook; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Jean will lie in state at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege on Wednesday, March 11, 2009 from 1 p.m. -- 5 p.m.

Rosary will be recited on Wednesday, evening at 7:30 p.m. at the All Saints Catholic Church in Holdrege.

A memorial has been established in her memory and will be designated at a later date.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com

The Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege is in charge of the arrangements.