Norma Jean Ellington
Norma J. Ellington, age 86, passed away with her daughters at her side on January 24, 2022. She was a wonderful woman whose endearing nature captured the hearts of everyone she met. Norma was born to Henry Hunt and Naomi Hunt (Sorrell) on March 11, 1935 in Salt Lick, Kentucky. Norma was an excellent student and worked in the school office during high school for the principal who would become her future father-in-law. Although Norma met her future husband in grade school, it was not until a high school dance that they decided to take a chance on each other. While dating, Norma and Earl had serious discussions concerning their goals and their future with a focus on family and education. Together they worked to not only reach those early goals, but to continue to revise, expand and exceed their goals throughout their marriage. They married on June 30, 1953 and had two daughters, Teresa and Patty. Earl and Norma instilled the importance of family and education in their two daughters and their families. Their big dreams and adventurous life led them across the country where they moved from Kentucky to California to Oregon and finally planted strong roots in Nebraska. Norma dedicated her life to being a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt and friend. She excelled at supporting her loved ones through the many passions and difficulties of their lives. She made it her mission to improve the lives of others. Norma strove to be an active member in her community and was passionate about protecting the people and land within it. She was instrumental in the movement to keep the Oregon beaches open to the public and coastlines free from commercial properties. In Nebraska, she was an active member of the local TTT Chapter, Women’s Council of Realtors, and Ceres Club. In addition to her love of community, Norma and her husband, Earl, were ambitious travelers. Together, they traveled nationally and internationally where they enjoyed exploring different cultures, made many friends, and incorporated their hobbies of antiquing and investigating the local real estate market. Norma’s hobbies included: cooking, reading, knitting, spending time with family and friends, and attending Nebraska sporting events. #GOBIGRED! Norma used her unwavering positivity, her love of community, and her knowledge of the current housing market during her 37 years as a Realtor in the Lincoln area. Her clients frequently commented on her commitment to providing excellent service while ensuring they were getting the home of their dreams. She was the realtor of choice in many families for multiple generations. Her drive and dedication earned her the Top Realtor of the Year award numerous times throughout her career. Norma is survived by daughters Teresa and husband David Jacka, Patricia Ellington and husband Mike Hill, grandchildren, Jeff Jacka (Liz), Jennifer Jancich (Bryan), James Babcock, Sarah Elizabeth Schmidt (Jim), and great-grandsons, Bentley and Bennet Jancich. Norma was an only child and was quickly adopted as part of the Ellington family including brother-in-law R.W. Ellington (Ginny), sisters-in-law, Vivian Hogge (Fred), Arye Dethmers (Don), and Evelyn Sallee (Sam). She is predeceased by her husband, Dr. Earl F. Ellington, parents, Henry Hunt, Naomi Sorrell (Hunt) and Dee Sorrell, brothers-in-law, Lindsay Ellington Jr., Fred Hogge, and Donald Dethmers, father-in-law, Lindsay, and mother-in-law, Hazel Ellington. A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Thursday, June 30th from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. in the enclosed shelter at Bethany Park in Lincoln, Nebraska (closest to the intersection of North 66th Street and Vine Street). For more information and to share your memories, please visit the memorial site https://www.forevermissed.com/norma-jean-ellington/lifestory or leave your condolences below. In lieu of flowers, and to honor Norma Ellington’s continued commitment to family and education, memorials may be made to University of Nebraska Foundation, Ellington Memorial Fund, at https://nufoundation.org/ways-to-give or to the University of Kentucky, College of Agriculture, E S Good Barn, 1451 University Drive, Lexington, Kentucky 40546-0097.
Funeral Home assisting is Aspen Mortuary, 4822 Cleveland Avenue, Lincoln, NE 68504. To view an on-line obituary or email condolences please visit Aspen Mortuary’s website at www.aspenaftercare.com.
Edith “EdaRee” Marie Eckblade
Obituary for Edith M. (Eda Ree) Eckblade, age 91 years, 10 months, 12 days. (b. June 22, 1929; d. May 13, 2021) Eda Ree Eckblade of Juniata, NE, died May 13 in Lincoln. Edith (Eda Ree) was born in 1929 in Dickenson, ND, to parents Clara (Weiland) and Rev. Nathaniel Hass. Her family lived in Pingree, ND, and then moved to Chadron, NE, where her father pastored a church. She attended school in Chadron and graduated from the Preparatory High School in 1947. She moved with her parents after WWII to Omaha, where she attended the University at Omaha (UNO) and earned a bachelor’s degree in Home Economics. After graduation, she worked for the Crosley appliance company traveling and demonstrating their products. In Omaha, she met the love of her life and husband of 50 years, C. James Eckblade. They were married on Aug. 12, 1953, in Riverside, CA, where her parents had retired. Jim and Eda Ree came to live in Nebraska, first in Lincoln, where their first two daughters were born, and then in 1959 moved to Hastings where two more daughters were added to the family. She and Jim retired to Juniata in the home where she lived until Jan. 2020. Along with being a loving wife, mother, sister, and grandmother, Eda Ree was loyal volunteer, involved with many organizations in Hastings including the YWCA, domestic violence task force, foster care review board, family planning, senior/aging services, public library, Adams county elections, and several women’s circle groups at her church, 1st Congregational UCC. Eda Ree was blessed to travel regularly across the country and to parts of Europe, Mexico, and Alaska, and to spend time with family at their beloved lake cabin. She was passionate about cooking, sewing, classical music, and reading, which she enjoyed long into her later years. Eda Ree was preceded in death by her husband, Jim (2003), her parents and in-laws, six siblings and spouses. She is survived by her daughters and spouses, Becky (Dan) Higgins, of Lincoln, Miriam Eckblade (Jim Boelter) of Omaha, Anita (Mark) Schaepe of Lincoln, Emily (Jeff) Weak of Omaha; grandchildren Erik (Marie) Higgins, Brita Higgins, Nathan (Katie) Schaepe, Reuben Schaepe, Katie M. Schaepe, Stefan (Sara) Schaepe, Charles, Rudy, Lilly, & Naomi Weak; 6 great grandchilden: Josiah, Lillian, Miqueas, Cecilia, Lucy, and Alvin; sister-in-law, Elizabeth “Betsy” Hass, Riverside, CA, and many nieces and nephews. Memorial services pending for July in Hastings, internment in Stromsburg, NE. Memorials may be given in her memory to 1st Congregational United Church of Christ-Hastings, the Hastings Public Library, or the donor’s choice. To leave a condolence please use the form below.
Funeral Home assisting is Aspen Mortuary, 4822 Cleveland Avenue, Lincoln, NE 68504. To view an on-line obituary or email condolences please visit Aspen Mortuary’s website at www.aspenaftercare.com.
Eugene Ollen Edgar, Sr.
From Lincoln, Nebraska Born on September 16, 1948. Passed away on April 23, 2021. Service in the future. For condolences, please use the form below.
Funeral Home assisting is Aspen Mortuary, 4822 Cleveland Avenue, Lincoln, NE 68504. To view an on-line obituary or email condolences please visit Aspen Mortuary’s website at www.aspenaftercare.com.
Jon Dean Eslick
On Saturday, January 2nd 2021, Jon Eslick, loving husband and father of four children passed away at the age of 54 after a brief but hard fought battle with liver cancer. Jon was born on April 12, 1966 in Lakewood, CA. to David and Estella (Cruz) Eslick. Jon spent his entire career serving others in the medical field mainly supplying medical equipment and supplies to countless clients for 35 years until he landed his dream job just two years ago serving as the Marketing Director at Fallbrook Assisted Living. Building relationships with the residents and their families brought him so much joy. On December 18th, 1993 he married Lara Sue Luetchens and together they raised one daughter, Brianna, and three sons, Hayden, Mitchell, and Brandon. Jon was a big guy with a big personality. He was the heart of his neighborhood and often the first person to welcome new families. He was always ready to lend a helping hand, but often told people he wasn’t a “Real Mexican” because he was not good at manual labor. He was a master at the barbecue and his perfectly grilled chicken and steaks will be missed. His pickled eggs…not so much, at least not by his wife. When people would visit our house he would tell them you are only a guest twice, after that get it yourself. He taught his kids to take pride in their work, and that early is on time, on time is late, and late is unacceptable. He loved fire pit Fridays, Bachelor Mondays and Hallmark Christmas movies all year long. Jon is survived by his wife Lara, his four children Brianna, Hayden, Mitchell and Brandon as well as his future daughter in law Skyla Klug, his parents David and Estella Eslick, his brother Jim and his wife Caren and their son Tyler; his brother Tom and his wife Christina and their daughter Alyssa. A memorial service will be held at a time when it is safe for his many, many friends and family to come together to celebrate his life and share the stories that would call out his ready laugh. For condolences, please fill out the form below.
Funeral Home assisting is Aspen Mortuary, 4822 Cleveland Avenue, Lincoln, NE 68504. To view an on-line obituary or email condolences please visit Aspen Mortuary’s website at www.aspenaftercare.com.
Barbara (Carson) Elder
August 18, 1924 – December 11, 2020 Preceded in death by husband John T. Elder, parents James and Meta Carson, sisters Muriel Barns and Mary Beth Carson. Survived by son Bruce Elder (Lisa) of North Andover, MA, Janet Kettler (Richard) of Lincoln, NE, granddaughters Carson, Juliette and Chloe Elder, Madeline and Isabel Kettler, nieces and nephews. Barbara was born in Wessington Springs, SD and graduated from Wessington Springs High School in 1942. She then graduated nursing school at Michael Reese Hospital in Chicago, IL. She worked as a surgical nurse at hospitals in Rapid City, SD and Seattle, WA. After her marriage Barbara moved to Omaha and finished her career as a nurse for Omaha Public Schools. No services per Barbara’s request. Memorials to Food Bank of Lincoln or Capital Humane Society. For condolences, please use the form below.
Funeral Home assisting is Aspen Mortuary, 4822 Cleveland Avenue, Lincoln, NE 68504. To view an on-line obituary or email condolences please visit Aspen Mortuary’s website at www.aspenaftercare.com.
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