*Upcoming Memorial Service Bernard "Jerry" M. Carraher

Bernard "Jerry" M. Carraher, 94, of Spalding, NE passed away Monday, March 30, 2020 at his home in Spalding, NE.

There will be a Memorial Mass for Jerry at 4:00 p.m., Saturday, April 10, 2021 at St. Michael's Catholic Church, Spalding, NE with Father Antony Thekkekara officiating.   The family invites you to a luncheon to follow at the Spalding Auditorium.  Please enjoy the slideshow of Jerry below.

Visitation will be Wednesday, April 1, 2020 at Dolce-Scheef Mortuary, Spalding, NE, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. The family will not be present. In an effort to keep our community safe, we strongly encourage those feeling ill or who are part of an at-risk population (e.g., the elderly or immune-compromised, etc.) to please stay home. In compliance with COVID-19 restrictions set by the CDC, no more than 10 people will be allowed in at one time. During visitation, social distancing methods of no hugging or hand shaking will be practiced. There will be a private family service with burial to follow at St. Michael's Catholic Cemetery, Spalding, NE with Military Rites conducted by the James Kessler American Legion Post #299 of Spalding, NE. As soon as it is safe, the Carraher family will host a public mass and community celebration of life to honor Jerry.

Memorials are suggested to the family for later designation.bDolce-Scheef Mortuary of Spalding, NE is in charge of the arrangements.

Bernard "Jerry" Matthew Carraher, son of Ben and Bessie (Sanford) Carraher, was born on August 20,1925 in Spalding, Nebraska. The family moved to Bartlett in 1933 where Jerry attended school at District #12 Wheeler County and Wheeler County High School.

Jerry was inducted into the United States Army in 1945 and served in Korea during World War II.  He was honorably discharged in 1947. After the war, Jerry worked in a sugar factory in California and at the Omaha Stockyards before returning home to farm.

He married Joan Keber on November 24,1954.  He rented several farms before he and Joan purchased their farm southwest of Spalding in 1957.  There, they were blessed with 9 children. Jerry fed fat cattle and raised corn, hay, cows, horses and kids.  After 44 years on the farm, he and Joan moved into town in 1999.

Jerry was a member of St. Michael's Catholic Church and lectored at mass for many years.  He was a member of the St. Michael's Men's Club and a school board member.  Jerry was a member and officer of the James Kessler American Legion Post #299, the Spalding Co-op Elevator, and the Cottonwood Greens Golf Course.

Jerry was also a pilot. During the winter blizzard of 1948-49, he helped the community by aerial-dropping groceries, mail, medical supplies and hay bales for the people and animals of Greeley and Wheeler counties.

Jerry was a state and national hand cornhusking champion many times. He rode every mile of the week-long, 500+ mile BRAN (Bicycle Ride Across Nebraska) ride when he was 78, 79 and 80 years old.

Jerry was a rancher, thru and thru: he loved working with cattle and spent many years on the back of a horse.  He knew the words to hundreds of old country songs and could sing them all by heart. He loved hunting and was one of the best shots in the land.  Jerry enjoyed playing golf, bicycling, bowling and playing cards with his friends. He loved spending time with his kids and grandkids, playing cards, backgammon and croquet. He spoke a simple truth and had a quick, lively sense of humor.

Jerry spent his last days with Joan and their children at his side. He left this world peacefully on March 30, 2020. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ben and Bessie Carraher, his in-laws, Joe and Mary Keber, grandson Colton Carraher, brothers Francis (Muggs), George, Pat, Joe and Leo, and his sister, Eleanor.

He is survived by Joan, his beloved wife of 65 years, children Patty Nowak of Grand Island, NE, Peg of Glenwood, IA, Carole (Jamie) Pflug of Springfield, NE, Kay (Tom) Stepp of O'Neill, NE, Annie (Tim) McManaman of Normal, Ill, Mary (Brian) Wood of Greeley, Matthew (Wendy) Carraher of Spalding, Michelle (Mike) Shaffer of Colorado City, CO and Mark (Keri) Carraher of Spalding, 22 grandchildren, 7 great-grandchildren, his sister Eileen of Nipomo, California and many nieces and nephews.