Kathy Earl

Lois Kathleen “Kathy” Earl, 75, of St. Libory, died Tuesday, June 10, 2014, at the Wedgewood Care Center in Grand Island. Mrs. Earl chose to have her body cremated, with no services. Private family inurnment will be at a later date in the St. Libory's Catholic Cemetery in St. Libory. Peters Funeral Home of St. Paul is in charge of the arrangements. Mrs. Earl was born on May 26, 1939, at Plattesville, Colorado, the daughter of Leslie E. and Artie E. (Easter) Rhoades. She is survived by two daughters and sons-in-law, Christine and Tim Trampe of St. Libory and Penny and Richard Cernik of Palmer; one son and daughter-in-law, Harry and Robin Marks of Indianola; two step-daughters, Lila and Howard Einspahr of Holyoke, CO and Carol Earl of Gothenburg; one step-son, David Earl of Sterling, CO; two brothers, Carroll Rhoades of Colorado and Orville Rhoades of Kansas. She also leaves to cherish her memory, 16 grandchildren, 29 great-grandchildren and 11 great-great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews and friends. Kathy grew up in Plattesville where she received her education. After the death of her parents, she was raised by her sister, Helen in various communities of Colorado. She was united in marriage to Willis R. “Willie” Earl, on Oct. 10, 1980, in Grand Island. Over the years the couple operated bars in Julesburg, CO and Lewellen. They began trucking in 1980 and lived in Grand Island. From 1983 to 1985 they lived in Palmer and then moved to St. Libory. In the 1990's, she owned and operated “Kathy's Kut & Kurl” beauty shop in St. Paul. Willie died on Oct. 1, 2007 and she continued to live in St. Libory. She had been residing at Wedgewood Care Center for the past several years. Kathy was an avid Nebraska Husker and Denver Bronco fan. She also enjoyed yardwork, playing cards, painting ceramic Christmas ornaments for her grandchildren and going to “the boats” in Council Bluffs. In addition to her husband, Willie, she was preceded in death by her parents; one step-daughter, Karen Henry; one grandson, Christopher Groshans; seven brothers, Perry, Leland, James, William, Thomas, Oland and Robert Rhoades; and seven sisters, Frances Acord, Pansy Grott, Maizie Freeling, Dorothy McDermed, Caroline Swindell, Patty Bohlender and Helen Hergenreter. Memorials are suggested to the family's choice.