Luree Lien

Luree Lien, 96, passed away on January 29, 2025, at Maples Centennial, North Platte, NE.

Inez Luree Linabery was born to Mervin R. Linabery and Kathrine E. (Brinda) Linabery in Valentine, NE on October 16, 1928.

Luree's first home was a few miles north of Valentine, Nebraska. Due to drought, the family moved to Todd County in 1934. There, she attended a school known as Midway along Highway 83. Riding horseback to school with her brother was a fond memory of hers.

On entering her sophomore year in 1947 she attended Valentine High School and lived with her grandparents. After graduating, Luree worked at secretary jobs including the telephone company.

In 1949 she married Edward Carl Lien. In 1962, Ed and Luree were employed east of Mission, SD on the Dowd Place. There they spent thirty-three good years in ranch and farm work and raising their three children.

Luree was always involved with the everyday chores of rural life but was also a pioneer in women's working rights. She held a position as the Assessor of Todd County, SD for twenty-five years. She enjoyed the challenges of the office but equally enjoyed meeting and working with the people of the area.

Luree found time to volunteer as a 4-H leader, loved music and dancing, and playing cards. She was an avid reader and very accomplished at embroidery needle work. She had a soft heart for animals and was very attached to her various cats and dogs.

After her husband Edward passed in 1995, she moved to Valentine, NE to be close to her mother. In December of 2013, due to illness, she moved to Cherry Hills Estate in Valentine and later to Maples Centennial in North Platte, NE.

Luree was preceded in death by her husband of forty-six years, Edward, her parents, Mervin and Kate Linabery, and brothers Leo Linabery and Clinton Linabery.

She is survived by her children: Jerry (Vivian) of Torrington, WY, and Don (Jean) of Buckeye, AZ, and Judy Carr (Ronn) of Whitman, NE.

Grandchildren: Jennifer (Erik) Englewood, CO, and Kari (Ben) Aurora, CO, and Sara (Greg) Kearney, NE, and Jon (Chelsa) Burlington, IA, and Anna (George) Tryon, NE, and Abby (Myles) Crawford, NE, and Walter (Kelsey) Whitman, NE.

Thirteen great-grandchildren: Logan and James, Luka, Blake and Maxwell, Marcus, Mason, Maddox and Mara, Ernestine and Bernadette, Maverick, Maggie.

And sister-in-law Betty Rodgers of Valentine, NE, and Karen Potter of Valentine, NE.

Luree will be remembered for her intelligence, work ethic, and the importance of agriculture and the rural way of life.

A graveside gathering will take place in Valentine, NE at a later date.

Online condolences may be sent by going to www.drauckerfh.com.

Draucker Funeral Home of Ogallala has been entrusted with arrangements.