Alice F. (Reigle) Koertner

Alice F. Koertner was born October 13, 1927, to J. Grover and Ada (Carter) Reigle, near Red Cloud, Nebraska – the youngest of four children.  She departed this life August 16, 2019, at Shalimar Gardens in Fremont, Nebraska, age 91. She leaves her three children – Rod (Susan) Koertner of Katy, TX; Marilyn (Steve) Burrows of Lone Tree, CO; and Roger (Deb) Koertner of Fremont NE.  She also leaves 5 grandchildren:  Adam (Briana) Koertner, Ballwin, MO and their 3 children; Grant  (Tiffany) Koertner, Lubbock, TX and their 2 children; Natasha (Travis) Jurgens, Lincoln, NE; Seth Koertner, Yankton, SD; and Nathan (Miranda) Koertner, Plainview, NE.   Preceding her in death were her husband of 61 years, Eugene Koertner, one grandson Erik Koertner, her parents, her brother Ray Reigle, and sisters Velma Rickertsen and Connie Neugart. 

Alice graduated as salutatorian from Red Cloud High School in 1945.  She won a scholarship to attend Nebraska Wesleyan one year before returning to Red Cloud to earn money for further college.   There she met Eugene Koertner in the Webster County Extension Office in September 1947, and they were married May 14, 1950.  Thus began their lifelong partnership in farming, with a rented half section near Guide Rock.  Over the years they were able to make a good living and raise their family while farming in the Hastings, Blue Hill and Bladen areas.  The happiest period of their lives was when farm prices were good, they paid off their farms, and took two trips to Europe.   Alice and Eugene had a shared love of music and were active in the Blue Hill United Methodist Church for many years, including being active in the choir and chairing the building committee in the 1970s.  Alice was a 4-H leader, and active in the United Methodist Women.  She will be remembered by all in the family for her wonderful cooking and baking, and in particular the cinnamon rolls, kolaches and pies she had ready when “the kids” and grandchildren would be visiting.  After Eugene’s stroke in 1995, they built and moved to a home in Hastings, NE.  In 2009, they moved to Shalimar Gardens Assisted Living in Fremont to be near Roger and Deb’s family and have more support for Gene.

Services for Alice will be held Friday, August 23, 2019, at 2:00 p.m. at the United Methodist Church, Blue Hill, Nebraska with Rev. Jim Miller officiating.  Burial will be in the Blue Hill Cemetery, Blue Hill, Nebraska.  Visitation will begin one hour before services at the church.   In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to either the Blue Hill United Methodist Church or Serene Care Hospice of Omaha in Alice’s name.  Private condolences may be sent to the family at www.mertenbutlermortuary.com.  Special thanks to the staff of The Heritage at Shalimar Gardens for the love, care and support of Gene and Alice in their years there, and the staff of Serene Care Hospice of Omaha for their support the past few months.  Merten-Butler Mortuary, Blue Hill, Nebraska is in charge of arrangements.

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