Irene E. Havel
1925 — 2018
Irene E. Havel, 93 of Bartlett, NE passed away Tuesday, August 14, 2018 at St. Francis Medical Center in Grand Island, Nebraska.
Funeral services were held Saturday, August 18, 2018, at the United Methodist Church in Elgin with Rev. Glenn Loy officiating. Interment followed at West Cedar Valley Cemetery, Elgin. Visitation was held Friday at Huffman-Levander Funeral Home in Elgin.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.huffmanlevander.com
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Irene Ethel Havel, daughter of William Wyet and Nellie (Bergman) Day, was born July 2, 1925 on the Green Valley Ranch, in Wheeler County. She attended rural Wheeler County Schools and graduated from Wheeler County High School in 1944.
Following her schooling, Irene kept books for her father and also helped him on the ranch. She also worked as a waitress at the Plantation Club in Elgin.
On November 12, 1947, Irene married Raymond J. Havel at O’Neill. To this union six children were born: Raymond Jr., Rita, Janette, Judy, James and Jerald.
The couple lived and worked on various ranches in Wheeler County until moving to the Hwy 281/Hwy 70 junction and purchasing the Four Corners Café in 1955.
They owned and operated the café until 1966 when they moved to the Day Ranch on the Beaver Creek where she raised chickens, milked cows, had a large garden, and helped in the hay fields.
In November 2015, Irene moved to Grand Island where she lived with her daughter until entering the Heritage Retirement Home in April 2018.
She was a member of the United Methodist Church in Elgin and enjoyed helping with the annual Fall Supper. She was always sewing, making more Care Bears, Pound Puppies and Cabbage Patch Dolls than could be counted. She never missed an opportunity to photograph an occasion, and her family will fondly remember her homemade noodles and kolaches, Irene loved being at home, especially when surrounded by her family.
She is survived by her children: Rita (Terry) Muir and Jerry (Jackie) Havel of Grand Island; Janette (Norm) Bialas of Fullerton; Judy (Mike) Kerkman of Elgin; Jim (Judy) Havel of Bartlett; daughter-in-law Sandy Havel of Grand Island; 14 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; sister Gladys Bauer of Chicago, IL; sister-in-law Ruby Kruntorad of Neligh; along with many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Ray in 2003; son Ray Jr., granddaughter Ginger Griffiths; six brothers: Clarence, Louis, Royvan, Earl, Henry, and Lester.
