Lola Lorraine (Badgley) Kirby, 95, of Oconto, Nebraska, peacefully passed away on November 18, 2022, in her home surrounded by her loving family.
Lola was born June 12, 1927, in Oconto, Nebraska, to Raymond and Matilda (Helmuth) Badgley. She grew up on a farm south of Oconto and attended Elementary School in a little country school in that area. She walked to school every day in snow up to her knees uphill both ways.
After elementary school, she attended high school in Oconto where she graduated with the class of 1945. As was the custom in those days, she stayed in town with Evelyn Maier who ran the telephone office while she was attending high school.
After graduating, she became a telephone operator in Ogallala, Nebraska. Two years later she returned to Oconto to help care for her ailing mother. One night at a dance she met the most incredible, handsome and kind man. In 1949, she married Ralph Kirby. To this union, four daughters were born.
Ralph and Lola farmed south of Oconto where they kept busy, there was always something that needed to be tended to. They later moved into Oconto where they lived out the rest of their lives.
Lola was an incredible cook. Her house always smelled like something delicious has been made. She and Ralph enjoyed traveling and would often jump in the plane and fly somewhere for lunch. They also enjoyed traveling around the United States.
Lola was preceded in death by her husband Ralph, her parents, Raymond and Matilda and her two brothers, Glen and Clifford.
She is mourned by her four daughters, Linda (Tony) Curia of Oconto, Sally Kirby of Portland, Oregon, Karen (David Carter) Greenway of Derby, Kansas and Kim (Michael Stearns) Kirby of Albuquerque, New Mexico; six grandchildren, Kaycee, Patrick and Mike McNulty, Billy Knispel, Kevin Williams and Megan Hamstra; six great grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren as well as many friends and family.
She will be greatly missed.
Funeral Services will be held on Friday, November 25, 2022, at 10:30 a.m. at the Oconto Community Center in Oconto, Nebraska with Pastor Ryan Findley, officiating. The service will be live streamed via the Reynolds-Love Funeral Home Facebook page.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, November 23, 2022, from 5-7pm at Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington, Nebraska.
Interment will be in the Oconto Cemetery in Oconto, Nebraska.
Memorials are kindly suggested to the Oconto Methodist Church or the Oconto Fire and Rescue.
Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington is honored to be assisting the family with arrangements. Please share online condolences with the family by visiting: reynoldslovefuneralhome.com
