Leola Leta (Harrenstein) Lay

Rural Glenvil resident, Leola Leta (Harrenstein) Lay, 80, passed away Sunday, March 20, 2011 at Mary Lanning Memorial HealthCare in Hastings, Nebraska.

Services will be Thursday, March 24, 2011; 10:00 A.M. at Hanover Presbyterian Church, rural Glenvil with Rev. Dr. William Nottage-Tacey officiating. Burial will be in Hanover Presbyterian Cemetery. Visitation will be Tuesday, March 22, 2011; 5:00 P.M. – 9:00 P.M. and Wednesday, March 23, 2011; 9:00 A.M. – 9:00 P.M. with the family present from 5:00 P.M. - 7:00 P.M. at the funeral home, and 1 hour prior to service at the church. Memorials may be given to Hanover Presbyterian Church.

Leola was born March 27, 1930 to Ella Mae and John B. Harrenstein. She attended rural grade school and graduated from Hastings High School in 1948. After graduation Leola worked at the Adams County Extension office. On July 7, 1949 she married Merlyn Lay and they lived on the farm near Glenvil, Nebraska. She was a devoted wife and mother to her family. She was well known for her baking abilities especially pies and bread, often winning awards at the county fair. Besides her family, interests were the vegetable garden, roses, pansies and cooking. She was a member of the Hanover Presbyterian Church where she was active with women’s groups, typing the church bulletins, choir, and church life. She was involved with the Adams County Extension, Neighborly Gals, and was a leader and life supporter of the 4-H program. Leola was inducted into the Nebraska Secretary of State Poll Worker Hall of Fame for her long time commitment to working as an election officer.

Leola was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Gail Harrenstein and John Harrenstein; and sisters, Della Stein and Ruth Reiner.

Survivors include:
Husband: Merlyn Lay – Glenvil, NE
Children & Spouses: Joline Jungck – North Platte, NE
    Rochelle & Kevin Samuelson – Bennington, NE
    Jeanette & Tim Uden – Juniata, NE
    Todd & Tammy Lay – Glenvil, NE
Grandchildren & Spouse: Staci Jungck
    Erin Jungck
    Cory Samuelson
    Darcie Samuelson
    Tanner Lay
    Shaina Lay
    Tyler Lay
    Jessika Uden
    Amanda & David Dettwiller
    Lacey Uden
Great-Granddaughter: Bailey Jo Soto
Twin Sister: Leah McCrady – Hastings, NE
Sisters-in-law: Joyce Harrenstein – Hastings, NE
    Rachel Lay – Hastings, NE
Numerous Nieces, Nephews, and other family

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