Eunice I. Warner

EUNICE I. WARNER, 93, of Kearney, passed away October 15, 2025, at Homestead Assisted Living in Kearney.

Eunice was born on Christmas Eve, December 24, 1931, in rural Gosper County, Nebraska, to Lester and Nellie (Puls) Bowers. She grew up on the family farm near Holbrook, where her father farmed with horses for many years, eventually being the last to adopt tractor farming in the area. Eunice attended a one-room country school through eighth grade before graduating from Holbrook High School in 1948. She often recalled those early years fondly-the dust clouds rolling in the distance, making mud pies in the corn crib, and learning to play pinochle with her classmates.

In 1950, Eunice married Joe E. Warner. The couple first made their home in Holbrook, where Joe worked at the Co-op station and Eunice worked at a grocery store. They later lived in Hastings, where Joe worked at the Hastings Ammunition Plant, and their daughter, Sonia were born. In the mid-1950s, they moved to McCook, where their children, Sally and Doug, were born. Through the years, Eunice and Joe also made homes in Imperial and Kearney.

Eunice worked for several years as a receptionist for the Anderson-Divan-Cottrell insurance firm in Kearney and part-time at Herberger's. Beyond her career, Eunice gave generously of her time-serving on election boards, volunteering at First Lutheran Church, and participating in the Kearney Envoys of the Chamber of Commerce. She was a longtime member and secretary of her church's Gloria Circle.

Eunice loved card games and proudly joked that she played cards eight days a week. She also enjoyed music, crafts, word search puzzles, and time with friends at both Kearney Manor and the Peterson Senior Center. She lived at Kearney Manor for 20 years. The last 3 she lived at Homestead Assisted Living, where they took great care of her and loved her witty sayings and direct conversation.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and brother, Ted Bowers.

Survivors include her daughters, Sonia (Walt) Altman of Sebring, FL, and Sally (Doug) Ferguson of Kearney; son, Doug (Rachelle) Warner of Elm Creek; four grandchildren, Pat (Sara) Ferguson of Omaha and Cole Ferguson of Kearney, Megan Warner of Gretna and Luke Warner of Norfolk; and three great-grandchildren, Noah, Stella, and Delilah Ferguson, along with many other relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, October 21, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at First Lutheran Church ELCA in Kearney, with interment at Holbrook Cemetery. Visitation will be on Tuesday morning at the church beginning at 9:00 a.m.

Memorials are established to First Lutheran Church in memory of Eunice.

Prairie Hills Funeral Home of Ogallala is in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be shared at prairiehillsfuneralhome.com, where the services will be streamed live.