A funeral service for Bessie K. McInturf will be held on Friday, March 1, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in Holdrege, Nebraska with Reverend Dr. W. Kirwin Stewart, Jr. officiating. Interment will be held on Friday, March 1, 2024, at 3:15 p.m. at the Stamford Cemetery in Stamford, Nebraska.
Bess McInturf, 93, of Omaha, passed away on February 25, 2024, at the Heritage Pointe Assisted Living in Omaha. She was a devoted wife and loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She was committed to her faith and lived her life to His service.
Bess was born to William and Mary (Coltrin) Laux on June 28, 1930, in Upland, Nebraska. There, she attended country school at District #10 and graduated from Franklin High School in 1948.
On May 1, 1949, she was united in marriage to Gerald (Bill) McInturf in Macon, Nebraska and they resided on a farm near Stamford, Nebraska. To this union, three children were born: a son, William, and twins, Belinda and Bradley. Bess and Bill retired from the farm in 2005 and moved to Alma, Nebraska, where they lived until Bill’s passing in 2007. In 2013, Bess relocated to Omaha.
Bess was baptized as an infant in the Macon Methodist Church and demonstrated her faith in churches everywhere she lived. Bethel Evangelical was her church home until it closed in 1964. In 1989, she was baptized in the Evangelical Free Church in Stamford and was a member of the Evangelical Free Church in Alma and Westside Baptist Church in Omaha. Every congregation knew her for her dedication and contributions to teaching Sunday school, youth fellowship, bible studies, and participating in the choirs. She loved music and singing God’s praises was a special gift and joy. In 1996, Bess felt privileged to go on a short-term mission trip to Venezuela.
She also offered comfort and support through her work as a nursing assistant and as an assistant for a funeral home for several years.
Besides her faith, her family was of utmost importance. She adored her grandchildren, great-granddaughters, and great-grandsons. The entire community knew how she loved baking and decorating sugar cookies for family and friends. Grandchildren came to anticipate boxes of cookies for every holiday and she was known to make as many as 17 dozen for a single special event. Bess is also especially remembered for her delicious pies as well as homemade noodles with canned beef.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Bill; daughter, Belinda Wittgren; three sisters: Grace Laux; Ruth Munson; Betty Feigt; and one brother, Bob Laux (Virginia).
Survivors include two sons: William McInturf (Lanelle) of Omaha; and Bradley McInturf (Kathy) of Holdrege; seven grandchildren: Monica Rose (Brent); Molly Whitlow (Matt); Sam McInturf; Adam Wittgren (Sara); Michael Wittgren; Faithe Kroll (Ryan); Olivia Frerichs (Brandon); four great-granddaughters: Adley and Harper Rose; Emma Kroll; Viola Frerichs; four great-grandsons: Oliver McCarthy-Whitlow; Javan Frerichs; Jax Kroll; and Van Wittgren; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Bess will be dearly missed by her family, friends, and all those whose lives she touched.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, February 29, 2024, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege, with the family greeting from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Memorials in Bessie’s honor can be directed to the American Cancer Society.
Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com.
The Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege is in charge of the arrangements.