Lola Ilene Erdman, 93, passed away on Dec. 19, 2023 at Brookestone Gardens in Kearney, NE where she had resided for the past 4 years.
Ilene was born on August 31, 1930 to Orian and Agnes Osborn at their farm home in Dundy County, Nebraska. She was the youngest of eight children. She attended country school through 8th grade then graduated from Parks High School in May of 1948. After graduation, Ilene moved to Benkelman and worked at various jobs.
In the fall of 1952, Ilene met Earl Erdman on a blind date set up by her roommate, who later became her sister-in-law. Earl and Ilene were married on March 15, 1953. Soon after marriage they moved to the Erdman ranch north of Haigler where they raised their three daughters; Kathy, Cindy and Nancy. In March of 1978, they moved to their new home in Haigler, Nebraska, where they lived until Earl passed away in 2017.
Ilene spent her time being a homemaker and mother. She cooked, baked, canned vegetables, dressed thousands of chickens and froze enough corn at the end of each summer to last throughout the winter months. Ilene was a beautiful seamstress that showed in the clothing she made for her three daughters and her part time job of making curtains for a local business. She passed her love of sewing on to her three daughters and taught all of them to sew.
Once they moved to Haigler, Ilene was an active member of the Haigler Lutheran Church, Red Hatters, Tops and various other community groups. Outside of her involvement in the community and commitment to her family, Ilene can best be remembered for her easy laughs, kind heart and the ability to look so innocent while playing cards.
Ilene was preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, Earl and her siblings and their spouses.
Surviving relatives include daughters Kathy Blecha and husband Mike and their two children, Lonne and Kari; Cindy Haskell and husband Keith and their four children, Kolette, Tony, Brian and Jason; and Nancy Akert and husband JR and their two children Rob and Megan. Ilene was also blessed with 18 great-grandchildren.
A graveside inurnment will be held Friday, March 15 11:00 A.M. (MST) at Haigler Cemetery, in Haigler, NE with a luncheon to follow.
Memorial Contributions may be made to Cindy Haskell for a designation later in Ilene’s name.