David Childers, age 81 of Ansley, died September 10, 2024, at the Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney.
David George Childers was born October 1, 1942, in Valentine, Nebraska. He was the youngest of three children born to Amos Robert "Bob" and Mary Elizabeth "Maribeth" (McMurtrey) Childers. David's formative years were spent on the Erba and Muriel McMurtrey Ranch in Cherry County where his father was working (they were his aunt and uncle). Dave remembers the blizzard of 1948-49. School was canceled for about 3 weeks.
In 1953, Bob and Maribeth purchased a farm just east of Ansley, NE. All three children graduated from Ansley High School. During high school David raised sheep and worked on the farm and part-time at the Thompson Gas Station in Ansley doing mechanic work. It was at this station, in 1959, where a truck tire exploded, the blast tossed him to the ceiling and caused major damage to his right foot. He had surgery to pin the foot but has had problems with it, but it does a good job of predicting bad weather for him! David enlisted in the Marine Corps, leaving for boot camp on his birthday, 1960. However, the damage to his foot interfered with training and he was given a medical discharge in 1961. He returned to Ansley and worked on a road construction crew.
In 1961, David and Karen Lucille Jarusek were married. He was employed at a gas station in Broken Bow and later he worked on the Merritt Reservoir southwest of Valentine. In 1962, he, his wife Karen, and daughter Patricia, moved to the McMurtrey Ranch in Cherry County where he worked as a ranch hand. Son, Roger was born in Valentine, while they were on the ranch. The ranch is located 75 miles from Valentine.
The family moved back to Ansley in 1964. They rented a farm just 1 /2 mile south of Dave's parents and he went into partnership with his father. In 1965, Dave's parents moved to Kilgore, NE, to a ranch owned by his cousin, Homer Hoffman.
Dave and family moved to his parents’ home. They raised Angus cattle and had sheep and hogs. The crops consisted of alfalfa, corn, milo, and oats. The farm (1/2 mile south, where they had lived previously) came up for sale. The 160-acre place was bought, and the house remodeled, and Dave and Karen moved in.
David was preceded in death by his parents, brother Bob, and sister Mary Frances “Mitzi”.
David is survived by wife Karen Childers of Ansley, daughter Patti (Laddie) Kruml of Sargent, and son Roger (Bonnie) Childers of Ansley, six grandchildren; Ashley Brink-Wurm, Cecilia Morlan, David Childers, Broc Childers, Joseph Kruml, and Kaylee Kruml, three great-grandchildren; CeAnn McIntosh, Harper Morlan, and Ruben Childers.
Funeral Services will be held on Monday, September 16, 2024, at 1:00 PM at Govier Brothers Chapel in Broken Bow, NE. Burial will follow in the Ansley Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to Ansley EMS or Ansley Fire Department. A visitation will be held on Sunday, September 15th from 1:00 to 5:00 PM, with the family greeting 4:00 to 5:00 PM at Govier Brothers Mortuary. Please wear casual attire. Govier Brothers Mortuary is in charge of arrangements. Online words of encouragement may be left at www.govierbrothers.com