Ada B. VanDiest, of Taylor passed away on Friday, August 22, 2025, at Brookestone View in Broken Bow, Nebraska at the age of 89.
Ada Bell was born October 28, 1935, at her family home 17 miles west of Taylor, Nebraska to Melvin and Delphia (Dilsaver) Stone. She was raised on the family farm and received her education at a country school in Loup County then graduated from Taylor High School.
Following high school Ada worked for a brief time at Burt Alders Law Office. On April 28, 1956, Ada was united in marriage to Wade VanDiest at Taylor, Nebraska. The couple was blessed with four children, Craig, DeAnn, Marie and Kelly.
Ada and Wade lived all their married life in Loup County, with the exception of one year they spent in Dunning. Ada was a farm wife until the couple retired and moved into Taylor in 2008. While living in town Ada enjoyed tending to her garden and beautiful flowers. In 2024, Ada and Wade moved to Kearney to live with their daughter, Marie. Shortly after Wade’s passing on February 27, 2025, Ada moved to Brookestone View in Broken Bow.
Ada’s pride and joy was her family, holding her grandbabies and spending time with people. She enjoyed gatherings of all kinds, playing cards and games, fishing, watching all sports, especially the Huskers, gardening, flowers, cooking, crocheting and sewing. Ada will be remembered as a “tough ole’ bird”.
She was a member of the Calvary Methodist Church of Taylor and the Ladies Circle. She belonged to the Clever Clique Club and a bowling team.
Survivors include a son and daughter-in-law, Craig and Doreene VanDiest of Taylor; three daughters and sons-in-law, DeAnn and Mike Winter of Hiawatha, Kansas, Marie and Allen Liibbe of Kearney and Kelly and Rob Dockweiler of Taylor; thirteen grandchildren; twenty-nine great grandchildren; four great-great grandchildren; a sister and brother-in-law, Emma and Ray Beard and three sisters-in-law, Lois Stone, Marlene VanDiest and Gerry Stone.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of nearly 69 years, Wade; two brothers, Darrel and Roland Stone and a sister and brother-in-law, Arlene and Bob Kraus.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, August 29, 2025, at the Calamus Trinity Methodist Church in Burwell, Nebraska. Pastor Stephen Williams will officiate. Inurnment will be held at Madison Square Cemetery, in Loup County, Nebraska. Memorials are suggested to the Taylor Calvary Church or Taylor Public Library. Still Waters Funeral Parlor is assisting with the arrangements. Online condolences can be left at stillwatersfuneralparlor.com.
The VanDiest family will greet friends on Thursday, August 28, 2025, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Taylor Community Center.
