A Celebration of Life Funeral Service for Patricia Dannehl will be held on Monday, April 15, 2024 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Bertrand, Nebraska with Pastor Tim Runtsch officiating. Interment will follow at the Highland Cemetery at Bertrand.
Patricia Ruth (Ball) Dannehl, 91 years of age, of Bertrand, passed away on Tuesday, April 9, 2024, at the Bertrand Nursing Home. Pat was born June 5, 1932, in Ord, Nebraska, born to Ellsworth Sidwell and Carolyn (Petersen) Ball. Pat was baptized in 1943 and received her early Christian training in the Ord Christian Church. She received her education from Ord Community School, graduating from Ord High School with the class of 1950. She then pursued higher education from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln, graduating in 1954. Following her graduation, she pursued additional education from Kearney State College and received her English endorsement.
In 1954, she was united in marriage to LaVern “Spike” Dannehl of Bertrand, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Ord, and the couple were blessed with three children: Lorri, Michael, and David. The couple made their home in Lawton, Oklahoma and later Fort Smith, Arkansas, while Spike served in the United States Army. They then moved to Bertrand in 1956. In 1963, they moved to the family farm southwest of Bertrand. Pat was employed at Bertrand Public Schools for many years, as the English and Journalism teacher. Following her retirement, she continued as a substitute teacher and leader of teen talk groups.
Pat was a faithful member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. Above all else, she was a devoted grandmother and cherished every moment spent with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, showering them with affection, wisdom, and endless homemade treats. She also enjoyed working in her flower garden, especially tending her prize Jackson Perkins Roses; reading; hosting and playing Bridge; and swinging on the porch with her husband, Spike, and with her grandchildren. The family will cherish her elaborate Easter scavenger hunts.
Besides her parents, Pat was preceded in death by her husband, Spike in 2019; sister, Wilma Black in 1993; and brother-in-law, Willard Dannehl in 2011.
Pat leaves to celebrate her life; her three children: Lorri Davison of Hastings, Nebraska; Mike Dannehl and his wife, Linda of Bertrand; and Dave Dannehl and his wife, Stephanie of Bertrand;
seven grandchildren: Christopher Davison and his wife, Christina; Tyson Davison and his wife, Lindsay; Jeff Dannehl; Jennifer Jensen and her husband, Ross; Andrew Dannehl and his wife, Andrea; Haley Dannehl; and Jaden Dannehl and his fiancée, Lauren Johnson; eight great-grandchildren: Tristen, Rhett, and Piper Davison; Finnley and Callum Davison; Miles and Hayes Jensen; and Juna Dannehl; sister-in-law, Janet Dannehl of Bertrand; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, April 14, 2024, from 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. with the family greeting from 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege.
A memorial has been established in Pat’s honor, and kindly suggested to the family for later designation. 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 arrangement