Eloise L. Sherry

Rejoice always, pray with out ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1Thessalonians 5: 16-18

Eloise Lavon Sherry, Grandma Sherry 91, of Grand Island entered the presence of her Lord on Sunday February 19, 2017, at her home, surrounded by her family singing her into a heaven. Funeral Services will be Thursday February 23, 2017 at 10:30 AM at St. Pauls Lutheran Church in Grand Island with Rev. Bill Pavuk officiating. Interment will follow at Phillips Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5 until 7 PM on Wednesday at Apfel Funeral Home.

Eloise was born May 22, 1925 in Phillips, Nebraska to Gus Kutschkau and Cora Mapes Kutschkau. She attended school in Philips, NE and graduated from Grand Island Senior High in 1942. She met US Army Air Forces Staff Sergeant, Richard Donavon Sherry, in Grand Island, on a three day pass in 1944. Don and Eloise were married on March 25, 1945, four days after returning home from being interned in Switzerland, after the B17 Air Craft crash landed. The couple made their first home in Denver CO and moved back to Grand Island in 1952. Two daughters, Lonna and Gina joined their family. Eloise was baptized and confirmed as a member of St Pauls Lutheran Church on March 17, 1940. She served her church as a Choir member, Stephens Minister, Youth Leader, Young Single Mothers Support Group coordinator, H.A.T.S. and various Bible studies.

After Don death, on July 6, 1979, Eloise began caring for Foster daughters and throughout the years brought 27 young teen girls into her home. She was recognized in 1998 as the Winner of Epsilon Sigma Alpha International with the DIANA Distinguished International Academy of Noble Achievement award for her service to the Foster Care System. The Grand Island community would best remember Eloise as the Skate Island Grandma working there for over 30 years. She was honored as one of the 1994 Grand Marshalls of the Harvest Harmony Parade along with her friends Jerry and Shirley Anderson. Eloise was a Girl Scout Leader, served on the Grand Island Election Board, and volunteered as a visitor at the Veterans Hospital. She was an avid coin collector, stamp collector Save the Stamps for Mosaic Mission and made hundreds of scrap and picture books being the family historian. Days of Our Lives was her daily soap opera for over 51 years. Was a total sports fanatic, loving the HUSKERS and any sport her grandchildren and great grandchildren where involved in. Eloise loved to sing and thoroughly enjoyed music with a beat from the great jazz artists to the Christian gospel sound.

Eloise was preceded in death by her parents, husband Don Sherry, brothers Leroy Kutschkau, Don Kutschkau, Wilbur Kutschkau, Orvis Danny Kutschkau, sister-in- laws; Ione Kutschkau, Rhea Kutschkau, Adeline Kutschkau, nephew Tom Kutschkau and nieces Jo Ann Kutschkau Hyde and Lori Valasek Moore Left to mourn her death are her children: Lonna and son-in-law Lyle Grabenstein of Eustis, NE; Gina Sherry of Grand Island, NE and special adopted daughter Cindy Aaron of Centreville VA and her children Alex Aaron and Tiffany Aaron of Washington DC . Grandchildren and Great grandchildren: Shane and Michelle Grabenstein of Chandler AZ and son Hayden, Ben and Cindy Grabenstein of Omaha, NE, their children Miles, Quincy, and Vivian. Kristen and Doug Blayney of Gretna NE their children Carter, Logan and Eloise, Adam and Kelsey Grabenstein of Eustis NE and their sons Fletcher and Rowdy. Alicia and Jamie Lemburg of Grand Island NE children Ethan and Mallory Gustan and Felice Hoover, of Raleigh NC and son, Aiden Corisa and Jeremy Ross, their children Jaron and Addison and great great granddaughter Anneliese James Donavan Hoover and Carrie Carter of Wilmington NC and Max Cheatham Sister and brother in law Betty and Verden Ray Valasek, of Lincoln NE, brother Melvin and sister-in law Bonnie Kutschkau of Fullerton NE, Elaine Kutschkau of Kennewick WA. and niece Jan Kutschkau McMullen of Grand Island NE Grandma Sherry knew no stranger and she loved freely with a Christ - like compassion.

She has an extremely large family of Tea Parties Girls, Foster Daughters, Girl Scouts, Church Circle friends, nieces, nephews, cousins and neighbors that will miss her dearly. She loved us all madly! Memorials gifts are requested for St Pauls Lutheran Church, Ascera Care Hospice or the donors choice.