1930 - 2021 (90 years)
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Name |
Elveda Montgomery [1] |
Birth |
6 Dec 1930 |
Geneva, Fillmore County, Nebraska [1] |
Gender |
Female |
Death |
22 Oct 2021 |
Lincoln, Lancaster County, Nebraska |
Notes |
- Email from Dennis Belohlavy, December 6, 1930, "Per today's Lincoln Journal Star "Celebrate" section Elveda Montgomery Elznic, the widow of Ronald Duane Elznic, will be 80 years old tomorrow, her date of birth being 06 Dec 1930. "
Elveda Elznic died October 22, 2021 at the age of 90 years, 10 months and 16 days. Elveda was born in Geneva, Fillmore County, Nebraska on December 6, 1930 to Elvin and Fae Montgomery; was baptized and accepted Jesus Christ as her Savior at an early age. She attended Geneva Public School, kindergarten through 12, except the year of 1946 when she moved with her family to Los Angeles. She returned with them the following year and again attended Geneva Public School graduating there in 1948.
Upon graduation, Elveda was employed in Fillmore County Clerk's office until her marriage on August 20, 1950 to Ronald Elznic in Geneva. They lived on farms in Stanton and Chelsea Townships where they became involved in the rural life and raised their 3 children, Robert, Patricia, and Anne. Ron's nephew, Alvin, also lived with them a short time. She was active in her church and the Geneva Rebekah Lodge. In 1952, Elveda served as Noble Grand of the local lodge and as the Rebekah Lodges' District Musician.
Elveda, also, worked away from the farm during those years, as a receptionist/secretary in several offices in the area until her husband took employment at Nebraska Engineering Company of Omaha. She, then, often traveled with him throughout his territory and to many farm shows and fairs. Attending Nebraska State Fair, with her husband, led to the opportunity to work part time for 13 years in the Fair's administrative office.
Throughout the administration of Nebraska Governor Kay Orr and Lieutenant Governor, William E. Nichol-1987 to 1991- Elveda was administrative assistant to Lieutenant Governor. During that time, she also served as Extradition Secretary for the State of Nebraska. When this term ended, she accepted a position as administrative secretary for a newly elected Senator in the Unicameral and helped establish the Senator's office. Many years before Elveda was to become Lieutenant Governor Nichols' Administrative Assistant, she had stated one of her goals was to become the first female Governor of the State of Nebraska. She did not achieve that dream, but did work in Nebraska's first female Governor's administration.
After Ron and Elveda retired and moved to Lincoln in 1992, Elveda served on the Lancaster Country Election Board for many years and did volunteer work at the State Historical Society, Campbell Elementary School, Back to the Bible, The Salvation Army and Lincoln/ Lancaster Habitat for Humanity. She helped The Salvation Army Disaster Team on September 11, 2001 when 4 commercial planes were diverted to Lincoln after the tragic events that day. Elveda kept in contact with one of the passengers who was stranded in Lincoln during that time. In 2007, she joined the Lincoln Senior Community Chorus which was a rewarding and joyful experience.
Elveda transferred her membership from the United Methodist Church in Geneva, where she had been a member for 50 years, to St. Luke United Methodist Church in Lincoln. She was part-time organist at St. Luke for 5 years for all of the worship services. After her stroke in 2002, she limited being accompanist on organ and piano to every Saturday evening service. She, also, played for many weddings and some funerals held at St. Luke. Deep appreciation of church organ music and traditional United Methodist Church services were the focus of her spiritual life. Elveda often stated that there was always one more piece of liturgical organ music she wanted to learn and play and perhaps in heaven there would be an organ for her to accompany a heavenly choir.
Elveda enjoyed traveling to other states and other countries. The highlight of her travels was a trip with Ron in 1998 to Scandinavian countries including Norway. At Bodoe, Norway she found the birthplace of her grandfather Andrews and met family she had never known. Special people they met there are Birger-Jan and Birtt Johansen who live on the farm where grandpa Andrews was born and many cousins who live nearby including Eva Hansen and her family. All of her newly discovered Norwegian relatives welcomed Elveda and Ron warmly and treated them royally. In 2001, Elveda and Ron mad the trip back to Bodoe, Norway accompanied by her sister and 2 cousins. She planned and organized the trips and said doing so was a big part of the excitement of traveling. Together she and her husband, Ron, made their funeral plans for their final trips to heaven to be with Jesus.
Good memories included the family together at Ft. Robinson and Mahoney State Park. It was a special joy to have all of the children and grandchildren there.
Elveda is survived by, her son, Robert and wife Barbara of Cedar Bluff, NE; daughter, Patricia Nun and son-in-law, Dennis of Lincoln, and daughter, Anne Kastl formerly of Lincoln; 10 grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren.
Elveda is preceded in death by, her husband; parents; sister, Nancy; brother, Charles and grandsons, Ryan Elznic and Jordan David Nun.
A visitation will be held Saturday, October 30, 2021 from 12pm to 2pm followed by a 2 pm funeral service at Lincoln Memorial Funeral Home 6800 S. 14th Street, Lincoln. Memorials are suggested to the Lincoln/Lancaster Habitat for Humanity. Condolences to www.lincolnfh.com.
(Obituary courtesy of Dennis Belohlavy)
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Person ID |
I36634 |
Strong Family Tree |
Last Modified |
11 Jun 2023 |
Family |
Ronald Duane Elznic, b. 12 Aug 1930, Chelsea Township, Fillmore County, Nebraska d. 5 Jan 2009, Lincoln, Lancaster County, Nebraska (Age 78 years) |
Children |
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Family ID |
F3850 |
Group Sheet | Family Chart |
Last Modified |
5 Dec 2010 |
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