Eldred E Folkers

Eldred E. Folkers 95, of Grand Island, passed away on March 16, 2025 at The CountryHouse Residence for memory care in Grand Island NE. A celebration of his life will be held at the Apfel Funeral Home in Grand Island NE on Thursday, April 3, 2025 at 11:00 A.M. The memorial service will be streamed live on www.apfelfuneralhome.com. Inurnment will be at the Plainview NE cemetery at a future date. Memorials are suggested to the family for future designation. Online condolences may be left at www.apfelfuneralhome.com

Eldred was born on January 16, 1930 in Osmond NE on the family farm to Leo and Selma (Petersen) Folkers. Eldred grew up on the family farm with his three brothers assisting in the farming and dairy operations. Eldred graduated from Osmond High School June 1949 On July 30, 1950 Eldred married Amy Wiegert in Osmond NE. They attended high school together, were high school sweethearts, and Amy was also Home Coming Queen. Through the years, he spent many vacations with his family visiting the farm and family and helping his parents with farm duties. 

Eldred and Amy farmed in the Osmond and Pierce communities until 1956. At that time they made a difficult and major life change to move to Columbus NE, which now included their young son Terry. Eldred became a police officer in Columbus, and also worked on a farm as a farmhand to make ends meet. He then applied for the Nebraska State Patrol, was accepted, and attended the Nebraska State Patrol Training Camp in the summer of 1958 at Ashland NE. Daughter Cheryl was born on November 29th of that year in Columbus. They received their first assignment to Scottsbluff, NE. So in December 1958 with a 1 month old baby, Cheryl, and young son Terry, they moved to Scottsbluff where Eldred was stationed for eight years. Amy said it was like moving to “the ends of the earth”.

Eldred built their home in Scottsbluff by himself. It was a kit home. We know they appreciated having the luxury of a brand new home with indoor plumbing, heat and electricity. They were children of the depression. They loved that house with its views of the Scottsbluff National Monument. Their next transfer was to Grand Island in November of 1966. Eldred was awarded many promotions in Grand Island and his final promotion was in 1977 as Captain of the Nebraska State Patrol, known as the Troop C area. He was captain of 61 troopers in that assignment. He was an excellent trooper. In one year, for example he arrested 92 people for DUI. He loved “working the road” as he would call it. He said it was the best job he ever had. Eldred and Amy were transferred temporarily to Lincoln in 1986 for 3 years. He was stationed there at Nebraska State Patrol headquarters for that time.

His retirement was in 1989 after 30 years of service. They retired in Grand island, to the family home.

Eldred was a member of Police Officers Association of Nebraska for many years, up until his death. He and Amy enjoyed helping Ron’s sister Denice Kruse, at the Grand Island Hall County Court House at election time, with securing ballot boxes. They always had a great time volunteering there and working with Denice.

In 1981 Cheryl married Ron Larsen of Central City, NE. They moved to Colorado in 1983. Terry married Kathy Claymon of Scottsbluff, NE in 1988 and they made their home in Scottsbluff until her death in 2019.

Eldred and Amy enjoyed traveling out to see their kids and their grandson Weston Larsen born in 1995. They were loving and dedicated Grandparents .

Weston married Aubrie Neuhaus of Berthoud CO in 2020 and they have 2 sons, Lukas 4 and Landon 2.

Eldred and Amy enjoyed helping in any way with their family but especially with Ron and Cheryl’s log home in 1999-2000. He was so happy to be active and have a project to do. He was Ron’s staining and caulking partner. At that time Eldred was 69 and Ron said he at times out worked him. Eldred was a strong man and loved to work hard. Working was his recreation. 

Eldred was a man of many hidden talents. He was a very good cook and bread maker. He also sewed and made quilts, just like his mom Selma. Growing up his mom made sure that her boys could cook and sew. He also enjoyed making key holders and lawn ornaments. Plus he loved having a big garden and doing yard work, especially mowing and taking care of his flowers. Still very much a farmer at heart.

He was a good dancer and had many wonderful spins on the dance floor with Amy over the years at family weddings, gatherings and high school reunions in Osmond. He had a great sense of humor and loved to visit and laugh with family. He was also an avid walker. Just last fall, he was walking with his cane down his street to visit with his neighbors. 

Eldred had 3 brothers. The two oldest brothers served in WWII, Lester in Europe and Milford in the Pacific Theater. His youngest brother Ronald served in the Korean War. Dads nephew Roger Folkers (Ronald’s son) also joined the Nebraska State Patrol and is now retired after serving for 29 years. He lives on the original family farm in Osmond NE.

Eldred felt serving his community and country was always part of his family legacy.

Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Amy Folkers (at CountryHouse Residence of Grand Island); son, Terry Folkers of Brule NE; daughter, Cheryl (Ron) Larsen of Longmont CO; grandson, Weston (Aubrie) Larsen; great grandsons: Lukas and Landon Larsen of Berthoud CO; nephew, Roger Folkers of Osmond NE; as well as many nieces and nephews and a few cousins.

He was proceeded in death by his parents, Leo and Selma Folkers; brothers: Lester, Milford and Ronald Folkers and daughter-in-law, Kathy Folkers.

Eldred’s devotion and loyalty to his family was unwavering. He was always there to lend a hand or offer advice, always so positive and encouraging. We were all so fortunate to have him for so long and so healthy, right up until the last year of his life. He will be missed!

The family would like the thank the staff at CountryHouse Residence, the hospice team from Aseracare and St. Croix, as well as his home caregiver Dawn with Home Instead for the care of Eldred these past couple months. A special note of thanks to Lana and Chris McCoy, dear neighbors who helped him and the family in so many ways.

The family also appreciates the participation of the Nebraska State Patrol for their tribute to Eldred, as well as Roger Folkers for his help in coordinating this tribute.