Marcella Marie Lemonds

Marcella Marie Lemonds, 100

Hastings resident Marcella Marie Merritt Lemonds, 100 years, nine months, 26 days passed to her Heavenly home on Friday October 18th, 2024, at Grand Island Area Regional Bryan Medical Center.

A Celebration of Life service will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday, October 24th, at the First United Methodist Church in Hastings, NE, with Rev. Lance Clay officiating. Burial will be at Parkview Cemetery in Hastings. A lunch will be served afterwards in the church Fellowship Hall. Visitation will be 5-7 p.m. Wednesday October 23rd, at the Apfel Funeral Home and one hour before the service at the church. Condolences may be sent to the family from: www.apfelfuneralhome.com.

Memorials may be given to the First United Methodist Church of Hastings, NE.

Marcella Marie Merritt Lemonds was born December 23, 1923, on a farm near Norway, Iowa, to Clarence and Caroline (nee Zuber) Merritt.

When her Mother was in labor, the roads were impassable by car. They had received a lot of rain. So her father traveled by horse and buggy four miles to get the doctor in Norway to deliver him back to the farm. That’s where she was born!

When Marcella was a year old, they moved to her grandfather, Edward Merritt’s farm south of Norway, Iowa. It was a Victorian house and barn. He loved different kinds of wood. The kitchen had Sycamore, the living room Birds Eye Maple, and the billiards room Redwood. People would come from miles around to see their living room in Birds Eye Maple.

Marcella went to school in Norway, Iowa and graduated from High School in 1942. She graduated from Iowa State College in 1946 with a degree in Home Economics and Science. Marcella taught Home Economics and Biology for one year at the High School in Norway, Iowa.

Marcella met Leo Lemonds while attending an Iowa State dance. It was a girl’s choice to dance. Marcella saw Leo across the room and thought he was so handsome. They were married on the Iowa State campus in the Rose Garden under the beautiful Campanile on September 12, 1945. They were married 66 years, before Leo’s passing. 

Marcella and Leo moved to Hastings, Nebraska, in 1949. While the veterinary clinic was being built, Leo practiced out of their home. Marcella took on all duties to help him with the practice. They had four children Karen, Jean, Jacki and Doug. Marcella had 10 grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren, and 6 great great grandchildren.

Marcella worked from 1967-1997 as an Independent Living Specialist for Nebraska Vocational Rehabilitation Services. She loved her job. At first she had clients in 22 counties of Nebraska. Marcella received the Independent Living Specialist of the Year Award and the McArtor Rehabilitation of the Year Award with Vocational Rehabilitation of Nebraska for her wonderful service. Before and after her retirement, Marcella belonged to many clubs. She was on the Southern Hills Golf Assoc.; past Vice President and member of AAUW; past President and member of the NE Rehab Assoc.; member of the American Rehab Assoc.; Iowa and NE Teacher’s Assoc.; NE and American Veterinary Auxiliary where Marcella received Nebraska Veterinary Auxiliary Member of the Year Award; the Quilt Guild; a small quilt group called the Granny Squares; past President and member of the Area Home Economics Assoc.; Garden Club; United Methodist Women where she gave the Social Action Report; Vice Regent and many committee chairs for the Daughters of the American Revolution: Niobrara Butler-Johnson Chapter; Marcella was a long-time member of the First United Methodist Church; Marcella and Leo taught High School Sunday School and then were Superintendents of all the Sunday Schools at the First United Methodist Church for many years; member of the Adams County Historical Society; member of the National Sod House Society; Elks #159 and a Girl Scout leader for many years.

Marcella was preceded in death by her parents, Clarence and Caroline (nee Zuber) Merritt; husband, Leo Lemonds; sisters, Dr. Myrtle Merritt and June Merritt (Fred) Neal; grandson, Sean Murphy and Step Grandson Jay Palmer; in-laws include: Bill and Lora (Rush) Lemonds, Bob Lemonds, Fae Lemonds Goosic (Cecil), Dale Lemonds (Marion), Bob Posegate, Larry Nernes, Millie Goosic and Ellis Brown, Virgil Reiter and Lisa Lemonds. 

Marcella is survived by her four children; Karen Lemonds Kempf, Jean Lemonds Murphy (Steven), Jacquelyn (Jacki) Lemonds and Douglas (Doug) Lemonds (Jeri). Grandchildren: David (Teresa) Kempf; William “Bill” Kempf; Kimbra (Kim) Kempf Parmer; John “Jay” (Crystal) Murphy; Jeremy (Tasha) Murphy; Stephanie Lemonds (Kelly “Kel”) Wishon; Michelle Lemonds Lewis and Casey (Nola) Lemonds. Great Grandchildren: Joshua (Josh), Joseph (Joe), Connor and Benjamin (Ben) Kempf; Blaze Parmer; Brendan, Bailey, Declan and Alyssa Murphy; Ryley, Tyler, Taylor and Cassidy Lemonds; Cody Baumeister; Jersey and Drew Lewis; Step Grandchidren: Trever and Caiden Rose and Ashley Carlson. Great Great Grandchildren: William and Leo Kempf; Aurora and Rayna Shaugaby and Sheyla Edirisinghe. Marcella’s Sister-in-Law Wilma Lemonds Posegate; Nieces and nephews: Pat Neal Watkinson (Dennis); Greg and Jeff Neal; Helen Goosic Nernes; Nancy Goosic Reiter; LeRoy Goosic; Linda Lemonds Frey (Joe); Debra Lemonds; Sherry Posegate Babicky (Tom); Diane Posegate Valline (John) and Chuck Posegate (Jody). Marcella is survived by many more relatives and many friends.