Inez L Stamm

INEZ STAMM
Inez Lucille (David) Stamm was born to George and Rubie (Mears) David, on April 2, 1927 at her parents’ home located ten miles north of McDonald, Kansas. This farm belonged to her grandfather, Samuel L. David. She was the fifth of six children, the youngest daughter, and the last surviving sibling at the time of her death. She passed away on January 21, 2018 at the Dundy County Hospital in Benkelman, Nebraska at the age of 90 years, 9 months, and 19 days.
Inez started school at Walnut Grove located ¼ mile west of where the family lived. She attended the 6th, 7th, and 8th grades at West White Eagle after her parents bought the Stevens place in 1938. This dryland farm was located SE of Benkelman, Nebraska, but just across the state line in Kansas. In 1941 she started high school in Bird City, Kansas living in a basement apartment with two other girls. She graduated with the class of 1945 as Salutatorian with a scholarship to business school in Denver. Because her dad insisted she become a teacher like her older sister, Norma; she attended summer school in Hastings, Nebraska along with her good friend, Bonnie (Reade) Burr, to obtain a teaching degree. She taught school for one term and DID NOT like it at all.
In the spring of 1946 she went to work at McMillen Drug Store in Bird City. In late 1946 her dad told her they were looking for help at the Hamilton Drug Store in Benkelman. She applied, got the job, and shared an apartment with Delores Wilkens who worked at Moses Drug Store. After her sister, Norma and husband, Blaine Lamb, bought a grocery store and moved to Benkelman Inez and Naomi (Lavelle) Osborn roomed with them until Inez got married.
Eugene Merle Stamm and Inez were married on March 21, 1948 at the Evergreen United Evangelical Church located north of Bird City. They made their home NW of Benkelman in the little four room house on the Stamm family farm. To this union five daughters were born. Phyllis Jean, an infant daughter, Jackie Eileen, Betty Rae, and Martha Ann.
The “little house” became a busy place with three small daughters as well as 6 to 8 couples of friends and their kids coming to play cards. In 1956 Gene’s parents moved into Benkelman and Gene and Inez moved into Zella’s “new house” on the farm. This is where they lived the rest of their married life; raising girls, corn, Hereford cattle, and horses.
Inez spent numerous days and miles traveling with her husband and family attending rodeos. Many Sundays she spent cooking and entertaining friends and their families while the husbands and kids practiced roping, steer wrestling, and barrel racing. She was a big supporter of the Dundy County 4-H activities with both her daughters and then her grandchildren. After their retirement from rodeos Inez and Gene started raising quarter horses for racing and continued racking up the miles to attend race meets around the country where they acquired many friends in the horse racing circuit.
After Gene passed away in 2003 she stayed on the farm and was involved in the farming operations with her daughter and son-in-law, Jackie and Jay Fanning. She was always up for a road trip with family or friends. Trips to visit her daughter in Texas, sightseeing through the SW to California, attending the Lazy E timed events one more time, a Florida cruise boat trip with a cousin, numerous Class of ’45 reunions, or just to the family farm all brought her enjoyment and fond memories. She stayed involved with the farming operations until she purchased a house in Benkelman, remodeled it, and moved to town in 2006.
After recovery from a serious illness, she moved into one of the K.C. Stout Assisted Living apartments December 17, 2010. A few months later, she made the decision to sell her Benkelman house. At the Hester Home she was able to continue her daily walks indoors on level ground. She enjoyed the activities with other residents, especially playing cards and bingo. She spent many an hour reading Louis Lamoure books and watching John Wayne movies from her large collections. It was here she enjoyed visits from family and friends. Although her failing hearing and eye sight would cause her frustrations in later years she persevered and did her best to adapt.
Her Christian faith was always important to her; therefore, when she was unable to find any documentation of her baptism while she sorted through her family’s memorability and history she decided to renew her faith. On July 21, 2013 she was baptized and became a member of the United Methodist Church in Benkelman.
On April 2, 2017 a large group of family and friends gathered at the 4-H building in Benkelman for her 90th birthday. Family members and numerous friends shared many memories as we celebrated her life with her.
She was preceded in death by her husband, an infant daughter, her parents, five brothers and sisters [Fannie (David) Nelson, Russell David, Norma (David) Lamb, Donald David, Raymond David], and two infant grandsons, Justin Bradney and Tyler Hayward.
Survivors are her four daughters and husbands- Phyllis (Stan) Jones, Jackie (Jay) Fanning, Betty (David) Bradney, all of Benkelman, Nebraska, and Martha (Casey) Hayward of Dike, Texas. Eight grandchildren- Shawn (Julie) Jones, Benkelman; Stacy (Mardell) Duvel, Max, NE; Jasper (Tara) Fanning, Ogallala, NE; Josh Fanning and Heather (Troy) Wiese, Benkelman; Shane (Avery) Bradney, Parks, NE; Buster (Jurnee) Hayward, Como, Texas; and Brooke Hayward, Sulphur Springs, Texas. Sixteen great grandchildren- Grant Jones, Champion, NE; Morgan Jones, Raeville, NE; Emily Jones, Benkelman; Cade and Colby Duvel, Max; Jaden and Jacob Fanning, Ogallala; Jess Fanning, Benkelman; Ashlyn, Chase and Saige Wiese, Benkelman; Leighton, Cordell and Idalia Bradney, Parks; and Brayden and Torree Hayward, Sulphur Springs, Texas.
She is, also, survived by one sister-in-law, Elmira David, Goodland, Kansas and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral Services will be held Friday morning, January 26th, 2018, 10:30 A.M. (Mountain Time) at the United Methodist Church of Benkelman, with Pastor Rod Heilburn officiating. Interment will follow at the Benkelman Cemetery. Inez's casket will be closed at church for services.

Visitation will be held Thursday afternoon, January 25th, 2018, 2:00 P.M. – 6:00 P.M. (Mountain Time) at the United Methodist Church of Benkelman.

Online condolences may be left at liewerfuneralhome.com



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