Grace Godfrey

September 13, 1918 - April 6, 2017

GRACE GODFREY, 98 of Elwood, passed away Thursday, April 6, 2017 at the Elwood Care Center in Elwood. Grace was born September 13, 1918 at Madrid, Nebraska to Walter and Mary (Reutzel) Nutt. She grew up in Madrid and graduated from Madrid High School. On January 22, 1942, Grace married Vernon Shepherd. The couple made their home in Atlanta, NE during WWII and later worked on ranches in the Sandhills before purchasing a store, cafe and dance hall at Roscoe. They went on to own and operate the grocery store at Stockville, NE before leaving the grocery business to own an apartment building in North Platte in 1969. In 1981, Grace was baptized at the Methodist Church in Cozad. Grace married Ben Godfrey on May 6, 1992 and the couple subsequently made their home in Sutherland. She later lived with her daughter Ramona at Elwood until Ramona could no longer care for her. In most recent years, Grace resided in the Elwood Care Center, where she received excellent care. The family wishes to extend their special thanks to Dr. Jones and to Grace's Elwood Care Center family for taking such wonderful care of Grace and her loved ones during her final days. Grace was a longtime member of the American Legion Auxiliary. She enjoyed spending time at their cabin at Lake Maloney as well as gardening. She was also an avid quilter, and took pride in having gifted many of her family members a quilt or rug that she had personally made. Grace was preceded in death by her parents; her first husband Vernon and second husband Ben; a daughter, Ramona; 2 sons-in-law, Dave Jones and Lyle Schievelbein; stepson, Gerald Godfrey; 4 grandchildren, Ronald and Mark Schievelbein, Tammy Wilcoxson and Todd Scott; 3 sisters, Blanche Hilferty, Mae Petersen and Betty Harris; and 2 brothers, Earl and Bob Nutt. Survivors include her children, Darlene (Ray) Pierson of North Platte, Alice (Joe) Herrick of Cozad, Norma (Dave) Greeley of Hershey, Wayne (Carol) Shepherd of North Platte and Duane (Brenda) Shepherd of Brady; stepson, Marvin (Belva) Godfrey; 15 grandchildren; 53 great grandchildren; and 10 great-great grandchildren; 2 sisters, Dorothy (Arnold) Sexson of Ogallala, Ethel Brott of Engelwood, CO; special friends and caregivers, Mollie George and Jennifer Jones; along with many other relatives and friends. A memorial has been established in her memory for later designation. Condolences may be shared at prairiehillsfuneralhome.com, where the service will be streamed live for those unable to attend. Services will be on Wednesday, April 12, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church in North Platte with the Reverend Dr. Douglas A. Delp officiating. Burial will be in the North Platte Cemetery. Visitation will be on Tuesday, from 1 p.m. until 7 p.m. at the Prairie Hills Funeral Home of Ogallala. Prairie Hills Funeral Home of Ogallala is in charge of arrangements.