Barbara “Bobbie” Ann Lesher, of Valentine, died peacefully at Sandhills Care Center in Ainsworth on Wednesday, November 12.
Bobbie was born in Grand Island on June 10th, 1928, to Bernie and Anne McGuire. S he was welcomed home by her big sister Lois Leta.
Bobbie attended a country school near Brownlee and graduated from Thomas County High School in Thedford in 1946.
Bobbie married Harvey Eugene, “Gene” Lesher in Seneca on October 25, 1946. T hey w ere b lessed w ith f ive s ons a nd t hen along c ame t he a pple o f m om’s e ye, g leam o f d ad’s e ye, M ary Ann, their precious baby daughter. Bobbie Ann was a dedicated mother and wife. Throughout the years she fed most of the neighbor kids and adults at one time or another as long as they showed u p a t t he d inner t able a t 6 a .m., 1 2 p .m. a nd 6 p .m. sharp. She was a tomboy at heart but an excellent cook and the whole community appreciated her meals as long as they showed up on time.
Bobbie enjoyed serving on the Thedford High School Alumni committee for several years, organizing and hosting annual banquets and entertainment.
Bobbie was a faithful, dedicated member of the Catholic Church in Brownlee, where all six kids were baptized. W hen it closed, she attended the Catholic Church in Thedford until she and G ene m oved t o V alentine i n 2 002. B obbie c ontinued attending church in Valentine until her death. It was important to Bobbie to show respect for her neighbors, family and friends, seldom missing a funeral or memorial service throughout the Sandhills region.
Raising six children on the family’s ranch left Bobbie little extra time for hobbies. Her time was dedicated to keeping her kids f rom k illing e ach o ther! B obbie a nd G ene l oved d ancing together and were often seen dancing or rather gliding on air, on dance floors all around the Sandhills. When they gathered with friends and family, a friendly game of 10 p oint p itch w as sure to happen.
Bobbie was preceded in death by parents Bernie and Anne McGuire; husband, Gene, a stillborn infant son; adult sons Tom, Jim and daughter in law Gerri Lesher, Bernard, and her older sister Lois Leta Ogle.
Survivors include sons Dick (Roberta), Ronnie; daughter Mary Ann Bostock (Glenn); daughter in law, Deb; grandchildren Wade Lesher, Lane Lesher, Jodi Hendrickson (Andy), Christi (Shane) Bastian, Becky Lesher, Jason Lesher, Stacy Lesher, Cami Lesher, Aaron Lesher, and Chase Lesher. Also surviving are numerous great grandchildren and a sister-in-law, June Lesher.
A rosary for Bobbie was held at St. Nicholas Catholic Church on T hursday, N ovember 2 0. T he f uneral w as h eld o n F riday, November 21. A light lunch was served following the funeral. The burial followed at Hillcrest Cemetery in Thedford. Sandoz Chapel of the Pines in Valentine was entrusted with service arrangements.