Elvera J. Steimle

Elvera J. Steimle, 95, of Grand Island, formerly of Central City, died on Sunday, November 17, 2019 at Tiffany Square in Grand Island. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, November 21, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. at Grace Lutheran Church in Central City, with Pastor Ruth Boettcher officiating. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, November 20th from 5-7 p.m. at Solt-Wagner Funeral Home in Central City. Interment will be held at the Central City Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.soltwagnerfuneral.com. Elvera was born on February 20, 1924 to Everett and Ella (Breyer) Bankson on the farm 1 mile west of Hordville, Nebraska. The first of 9 children and a lifetime of living life dedicated to her faith of her church, being an integral part of the tasks at hand to make life better for all. After graduating from Hordville High School with the class of 1941, she continued her education at Luther College in Wahoo, Nebraska where she received her certificate to teach school at the elementary level. She returned to the Hamilton and Merrick County area where she taught school at the one room school house between Chapman and Central City. District #39 became her school house and resided in a room at the Ralph Tilley farm a quarter mile from the schoolhouse. It was there that she met her future husband, Gerald Reeves and were married on July 23, 1945. There she resided for the better part of her life where raising a family of four children as well as over 10,000 Turkeys a year. Eugene, Jerry Dean, Janice and Laurie became the focal point of her daily mission and keeping the homestead thriving through good times and days of challenge. The farm life can be challenging and having three family members with Juvenile diabetes created extra difficulties. With her resilience and determination of a positive attitude life moved forward each day. Gerald Reeves passed away from the complications of diabetes at the age of 59. After a few years she was remarried to Harry Steimle from Omaha, and resided in Central City. Elvera would take on extra jobs along the way to supplement the farm income, be it working at the Dairy Queen, babysitting and a list of many other jobs. She also taught at District #33 and #2. Her last major work was ownership of Chuck’s Drive Inn, in Aurora for 2 years. Those who knew her would think of her as ever giving, friendly and someone to share a cup of coffee with at the farmhouse table which seemed a common occurrence in daily life on the farm. Elvera also did volunteer work at the thrift store and long term care in Central City. She was also a member of the Grace Lutheran Church in Central City and enjoyed doing her oil paintings. Those left to cherish her memory are her children; Eugene Reeves of Lincoln and Laurie (Stanley) Scheer of Grand Island, her sisters; Doris Benner of Central City, Luella Ernst of Wahoo, and Betty George of Sutton; three brothers- Neil and Joan Bankson, Dean and Karen Bankson all of Central City, NE; and Marvin and Janice Bankson of Polk, NE; as well as 9 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husbands, her son; Gerald Reeves, daughter Janice Smith, and two brothers; Eldon and Donald Bankson, and Sister-in-law; Donna Bankson, and special friend; Dixie Rice.

Elvera J. Steimle

February 20, 1924 - November 17, 2019