Tributes

Willa Kealiher Willa Nadine Kealiher was born November 19, 1931, in Holyoke, Colorado, to Howard Ray and Mary Dell (Hughes) Sheldon. Willa attended grade school at Prairie Gem District #53 and graduated from Phillips County High School in 1948. She furthered her education at Kearney State Teachers’ College graduating in 1952 with a Bachelor’s of Art degree and later received her Master’s of Art degree at Northern Colorado University in Greeley, Colorado. On December 23, 1951, Willa married Gail Dean Kealiher at the Howard Sheldon farm home, and to this union three children were born: Kathleen, Charlotte and Timothy. The couple first settled in Kearney, Nebraska, while Willa was finishing her education. They spent a short time on the Sheldon farm home, South of Lamar, and also resided in York, Nebraska, before moving to Denver, Colorado, where they made their home for 61 years. As a young lady, Willa was employed at the Sweet Shop in Holyoke and as a clerk at the Fort Kearney Hotel in Kearney. She then began her teaching career in Nebraska and continued teaching, business and English in Denver high schools for 28 years. Willa was a member of the National Education Association. She enjoyed bowling, bridge, sewing, bible studies, traveling, flowers and photography. Willa passed away Sunday, April 30, 2017, at Sunrise Assisted Living at Pinehurst in Denver, Colorado. She was 85 years of age. Willa was preceded in death by her parents; sisters: Goldie Fay Hall and Pearl M. Lee. Survivors include: Husband, Gail Kealiher of Denver, Colorado Daughter, Kathleen Bell and husband, Scott of Aurora, Colorado Daughter, Charlotte Smith and husband, Larry of Washington, West Virginia Son, Timothy Kealiher and wife, Patti of Lafayette, Colorado Sister, Wilma Friday of Denver, Colorado 8 grandchildren: Eric Bell, Phillip Bell, Jason Bell (Melissa), Stephani Lucus (John), Michael Kealiher, Adam Kealiher, Ryan Kealiher and Amber Salazar (Francisco) 11 great-grandchildren: Stormy Bell, Molly Bell, Harley Bell, Miles Lucus, Mia Lucus, Dylan Lucus, Juliauna Bell, Janessa Bell, Joelynn Bell, Juanita and Carlos Salazar. Funeral services will be 10:30 A.M. (MT), Saturday morning, May 6, 2017, at the Champion Community Building with Rev. Martin Harmon officiating. Interment will follow at Green Lawn Cemetery in Rural Lamar, Nebraska. Visitation will be Friday afternoon, May 5, 2017, from 2:00-6:00 p.m. (MT) at the funeral home in Imperial. A memorial has been established in Willa’s Memory. Online condolences may be left at liewerfuneralhome.com LIEWER FUNERAL HOME IS ENTURSTED WITH ARRANGEMENTS

Tributes

Willa Nadine Kealiher

November 19, 1931 - April 30, 2017