Ellen Prior

HASTINGS, Neb. -- Mary Elenor Stretch was born to Ira Martin and Flora Bennett Stretch on June 15, 1919, at home, near Wauneta, Neb. She was the third child of seven children, having two sisters, Ethel and Lola, and four brothers, Leo (who died in 1915), Lloyd, Leslie and Oscar. Mary Elenor later preferred to be called simply Ellen.

Ellen passed away Wednesday, July 13, 2016, at Providence Place in Hastings at the age of 97 years. She had lived in her own home in Hastings until the age of 96 and lived the last 10 months of her life with assistance.

Ellen attended grade school at the old brick school north of Wauneta. She graduated from Wauneta High School, Class of 1938. Ellen received higher education at Chadron State Teachers College and graduated from Kearney State Teachers College with a bachelor of arts in elementary education. She was an active member and teacher at the Wauneta Church of Christ and always enjoyed the ladies' Bible classes.

Ellen married Gordon Prior on Feb. 21, 1943, at Ellen's parents' family home near Wauneta. They began life together on the Prior family farm north of Wauneta. To this union five children were born: Ronald Leon, Marlus Kent, Marla Janette, Kevin Lynn and Gaylin Roderick. In 1948, they bought a farm and moved near Imperial, Neb., to continue farming. Later, they moved to Wauneta where they operated a farm implement business for several years. During this time, Ellen decided to return to her early career of teaching. Teaching was a challenge along with being the mother of five children. It was necessary for her to continue college classes to keep her teaching certificate current. Ellen enrolled in night classes, correspondence courses and spent several summers on the college campus until she received her BA degree the summer of 1967, freeing her from the constant need for continuing education.

Ellen continued teaching for 23 years until all of her five children had completed their college degrees. She retired from the classroom in 1982. Ellen was then able to pursue interests of her own, as well as spend time with her fast increasing number of grandchildren. She always had a project or an experience she wanted to share with each grandchild, and later great-grandchildren who came to visit, from cooking, to crafting, to just taking a walk. Ellen also loved to sing and liked nothing more than having her family gathered around the organ singing.

Oil painting was a creative interest she enjoyed with area friends. She completed many excellent works and received much encouragement from displaying her paintings at the Harvest Festival held in Wauneta. She gave many paintings to her children and grandchildren commemorating a special event in their life or a vacation spot the family had enjoyed.

Gordon passed in 1995, and in 1998, Ellen moved to Hastings to be closer to her children. She enjoyed many new adventures in her new location which included her newly constructed home, helping out at the Hastings church of Christ, being a part of the Retired Teachers' Association and spending many hours being a part of her children and grandchildren's lives.

Ellen is survived by four sons and daughters-in-law: Ron and Ann (Searcy, Ark.), Kent and Marsha (Lincoln, Neb.), Kevin and Jan (Grand Island, Neb.), Gaylin and Lisa (Hastings, Neb.); one daughter, Marla Corman (Omaha, Neb.); 13 grandchildren and spouses: Mark and Diana Prior, Analisa and Brent Peterson, Adam and Shelley Prior, Andrew and Heidi Prior, Raymond and Paula Lawrason, Dustin and Janelle Corman, Kristin Corman, Darin and Courtney Corman, Audra and Michael Olson, Megan and Brian Rogers, Jenny and Shawn Tjaden, Aaron and Kelli Prior, Evan and Erin Prior; and 20 great-grandchildren. Ellen's immediate family also includes two brothers, Oscar Stretch and Leslie Stretch; and one sister, Lola Kennedy. Ellen was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Gordon Prior; son-in-law, Vern Corman, Jr.; brothers, Lloyd Stretch and Leo Stretch; sister, Ethel Bridgeman; and grandchild, Sherry Bruggeman.

Services will be Wednesday, July 20, 2016, 11 a.m. CST at the Church of Christ, Hastings, with ministers Randy Hayes and Russ Dudrey officiating. Burial will be Thursday, July 21, 2016, 11 a.m. MST in Riverside Cemetery, Wauneta.

Memorials may be given to Wauneta High School Education Scholarship Fund.

Visitation will be Tuesday, July 19, 2016, 6 to 9 p.m. at the funeral home. Private condolences may be sent to the family at www.lbvfh.com . Livingston Butler Volland Funeral Home Center in Hastings is serving the family or at liewerfuneralhome.com. Liewer Funeral Home of Wauneta is entrusted with local arrangements.