Paralee Ekart

Paralee Ekart, age 92 of York, NE, passed away on Friday July 9, 2010 in York. She was born December 11, 1917 near Waco, NE to Richard and Gertrude Stephens. After high school she obtained a teaching certificate and then taught grade school at Goehner, NE. She met Henry Reierson while at Goehner and they were married on June 1, 1941. They lived and farmed near Goehner, Waco, Pawnee City, and York. Paralee taught rural school in Pawnee County, Burchard, and Benedict during many of those years. She also returned to college and graduated with a degree in elementary education in 1960. Henry passed away in December of 1964, and Paralee continued to teach at Benedict and then moved into York. There she met and married Lewis B. Ekart (longtime York County Sheriff) in July of 1967. Paralee retired from teaching in 1971, which was about the same time Lewis retired. They enjoyed their many years of retirement; traveling, entertaining, meeting for coffee, being involved in church activities, etc. Lewis passed away in December of 2001. Paralee was a 50 year member of Eastern Star and a longtime member of the York Christian Church.

Left to cherish her memory are two sons, Richard Reierson and wife Judy of Lexington, IL and Kent Reierson and wife Kathy of Auburn, NE; stepdaughter Joyce Ekart Donahue and husband Tom of McCool Jct., NE; stepdaughter-in-law Montse Ekart of York; and sister-in-law Donna Stephens of York. Survivors also include two grandsons, one granddaughter, stepgrandson, two stepgrandaughters; great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. Preceding her in death were her parents; husbands; siblings, Edward Stephens, Eldon Stephens, Pauline Stephens, Martha Carlson; and stepson Jim Ekart.

Funeral services were held 10:30 am Wednesday, July 14, 2010 at the First Christian Church in York. Burial was in York’s Greenwood Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to the First Christian Church in York.