Nellie Lee Lockard, 95, of Stella, Nebraska passed away, surrounded by family, on Monday, March 16, 2020.
An infant brother preceded her in death.
Nellie Lee was the second of five children born to Carl H. and Dora (Parchen) Niemeyer October 10, 1924 in Jefferson Precinct west of Rulo, Nebraska. She was baptized in St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and attended rural school until the family moved to Stella, Nebraska in 1935, where she graduated from Stella High School in 1940.
When she was in high school, she helped her mother at the Stella telephone switchboard, and at the café. After high school she was employed by the local newspaper office. In those days every small town had a newspaper.
She met James D. Lockard when his family moved into Stella in 1938, and he was high school classmate. They were married in March 1942. To this union two sons were born—Ronald J. and Sidney L.
J.D. was inducted into the Army in June 1942 during World War II. He was discharged from the Army in December 1945. His last 27 months were served in the Pacific Theater.
Nellie Lee was appointed to the position of Postmaster in Stella in May 1961, a position she held until July 2005 after 44 years.
She had served on the Stella School Board, the Village Board, and the Cemetery Board. She was also a member of the Shubert Legion Auxiliary.
J.D. passed away in November after 54 years of marriage.
In addition to her infant brother, Nellie Lee was preceded in death by her parents; two sisters: Imogene (Richard) Baker of Colorado Springs; Delpha (Blaine) Stanley of Stella; brother Everett (Edwin) Niemeyer of Lincoln; and all of J.D.’s immediate family: Dewey and Iva Lockard, George (Dorothy) Lockard, Byford (Loretta) Lockard, and Dennis (Darlene) Lockard.
Nellie Lee is survived by her two sons: Ron (Tracey) Lockard, McKinney, TX; Sid (Donna) Lockard, Shubert, NE; grandsons: Matt (Joselin) Lockard, Dannebrog, NE; Jaden Lockard, Austin, TX; granddaughters: Shannon (Jed) Wamsley, Humboldt, NE; Katy (Ryan) Harkleroad, Portland, ME; great-granddaughter Lily Wamsley; great-grandsons Axton Wamsley and Miles Harkleroad; step-great-grandsons Dylan (Haley) McIntyre and Hayden Murphy; daughter-in-law Gail Lockard, Lincoln, NE; nieces, nephews, other family and friends.
Inurnment of ashes will be at a later date at the Stella Cemetery.
Services are entrusted to Hemmingsen Funeral Home of Auburn.
