Lawrence S. Nabity

Lawrence S. Nabity, 86, of St. Libory, died Tuesday, April 30, 2013, at the St. Francis Medical Center in Grand Island. Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at St. Libory's Catholic Church in St. Libory. The Rev. Sidney B. Bruggeman will officiate. Burial will be in the St. Libory's Catholic Cemetery with graveside military honors by Carl Mogensen American Legion Post 119 of St. Paul. Visitation will be Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. at the church, with a 7 p.m. vigil service. Peters Funeral Home of St. Paul is in charge of the arrangements. Mr. Nabity was born on Nov. 27, 1926, at St. Paul, the son of Lewis and Lillian (Polansky) Nabity. He is survived by his wife, Theresa I. Nabity of St. Libory; five sons and two daughters-in-law, Larry Nabity of Alcester, SD, Tom and Pam Nabity of Hawarden, IA, Don and Anita Nabity of Grand Island, Frank Nabity of Haysville, KS and Arnold Nabity of Petersburg, VA; six daughters and five sons-in-law, Jeanette and Tom Tichenor of Derby, KS, Sylvia and Larry Frustaglio of Scottsbluff, Nancy Maldonado of Victorville, CA, Marylyn and Lonnie Ehlers of Aurora, Carol and Roy Williams of Coweta, OK and Ann and Monty Herrick of Alda; and three sisters and brothers-in-law, Lucille and Frank Ptacek of Weston, Loretta and Joe Petersen of Shawnee, KS and LaJean and Dale Radford of Mays Landing, NJ. He also leaves to cherish his memory, 30 grandchildren and 37 great-grandchildren. Lawrence grew up on the family farm northeast of St. Paul. He attended Howard County rural schools and graduated from St. Paul High School in 1945. He was a U.S. Army World War II veteran, having served from August 1945 to June 1947. He then returned to farming with his parents. He was united in marriage to Theresa I. Radke on Sept. 17, 1949, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Elba. The couple farmed near Elba for 10 years and in 1960 moved to a farm southwest of St. Libory, where they lived and raised their family. Over the years Lawrence worked in construction, having helped build Grand Island Senior High and the VA Medical Center. He also worked for American Crystal Sugar Factory, the Grand Island Elevator and St. Francis Medical Center for 25 years, retiring in 1992. He then was a seasonal worker for Northup King Seed Company in Phillips. He was a member of St. Libory's Catholic Church, where he served as an usher for many years. He was also a member of Knights of Columbus Council 1918, the VFW and Carl Mogensen American Legion Post 119, all of St. Paul. Lawrence enjoyed gardening, fishing, casino trips and loved his grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; three sons, Roger, Michael and Timothy Nabity; one sister, Letha Jisa; three brothers, Leo Nabity, Laverne Nabity and Lewis “Jerome” Nabity, Jr. and one great-granddaughter, Katelin Lahm. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the St. Libory's Catholic Church Wheelchair Ramp Fund.