Betty Harris May 17, 1923 ~ January 19, 2010
		Draucker Funeral Home 700 N. Spruce Street Post Office Box 296 Ogallala, NE 69153 Ph:  308.284.4021

 OBITUARY

 
 Betty Harris, 86, lifetime Ogallala resident, died Tuesday, January 19, 2010, at the Monarch Hospice in Lincoln following a short illness.

Betty was born May 17, 1923 at Sutherland to Herman and Teckla Danielson Hackbarth.
The earlier part of her life was spent in Brighton, CO. where her father made a living as a carpenter. She graduated from Brighton High School and the family moved to Ogallala where she worked at Ditto's Cafe before her marriage.

On June 7, 1943 Betty married Jesse Harris at St. Paul's Lutheran Church. Betty followed Jesse to
Taft, CA where he was stationed during WWII. Following the war the couple's first home was in the Lemoyne area. They moved to the "place on the hill" northwest of Ogallala shortly after that where they were engaged in farming and ranching for more than 50 years.

It was here that Betty demonstrated her gift of hospitality. The neighbors and others knew that
the coffee was always on the stove, full and hot, and there were cookies, cake and conversation to go along with it. The couple often hosted neighbors following the aftermath of blizzards that made the roads to town impassable with high snow drifts. The Harris place had propane for heating and cooking, so it mattered not if the power was out. Their home continued to be open to all visitors after they moved into Ogallala, and then the last years of their lives at Legacy Terrace.

Prior to moving to the Monarch about a month ago, she resided at a senior citizen independent living facility, the Legacy Terrace, for approximately two years. Previous to moving to Lincoln Mrs. Harris was a resident of the Ogallala area, living at the family ranch/farm northwest of Ogallala before moving with her husband, the late Jesse H. Harris, to their home in Ogallala.

Betty remained active serving others as she had throughout her life, especially her parents and children. She was a lifetime member of St. Paul's and the Lutheran Women's Missionary League. She enjoyed Bible studies and did volunteer work for RSVP. Active even in her last years in Lincoln, she was a volunteer for Team Mates with Lincoln Public Schools.

Preceding her in death was her husband Jesse, her parents, sisters Frances Clifton, and Wilda "Billie" and her husband Warren Plummer, brother Dale and his wife Alice Hackbarth and a grandson Andrew Harris.

Survivors include her three children: Linda and her husband John Moore of Lexington; Steve Harris and his wife Cindy of Lincoln; and Dr. Beth Harris and her husband Dr. Brad Coates of Ames, IA. Also grandchildren: Lyndell Moore of New York, NY; Heather Moore of Ogallala; John C. (Steele) Moore of Kearney; Zach (Erica) Harris of Washington, IL; Thad Harris of Lincoln; and Tyrell Firman of Ames, IA. Two sisters-in-law: Norma Frahm of Pinole, CA and Elizabeth Harris of Chappell and numerous nieces and nephews and a host of friends.

Visitation will be Thursday, January 21, from noon to 6 p.m. at Draucker Funeral Home. Funeral Service will be Friday, January 22, at 10 a.m. in St. Pauls Lutheran Church in Ogallala. Rev. David Dobbertien will officiate.

Memorials are suggested to the LWML of St. Pauls and the Monarch Hospice of Lincoln. Interment in the Ogallala Cemetery. Online Condolences may be sent by clicking here.

Draucker Funeral Home of Ogallala is in charge of arrangements.