Wilma French Janeane Gibbens
Wilma French, 89, of Broken Bow, Neb., passed away April 24, 2023, at Brookestone View in Broken Bow.
Wilma Jean (Larson) French was born Oct. 23, 1933, at Broken Bow to Harry G. and Gertrude (Walter) Larson.
She grew up on the family farm in Rose Valley northeast of Broken Bow and enjoyed going to grade school at the Rose Valley country school where she met many friends. She then attended Broken Bow High School where she enjoyed music and was proud to be part of the marching band, playing the clarinet while also making many more new friends.
She graduated from high school in 1951 and started at the University of Nebraska that fall.
She would graduate from UNL with a degree in Business Administration in the spring of 1955.
While attending the University she met Gene French and would later marry on Aug. 29, 1954.
After Wilma and Gene graduated in 1955, Wilma followed Gene around during his service to the country. This service would take them to Idaho, Utah, Texas and Oklahoma before Gene was sent overseas. Wilma would stay in Lincoln, working for a professor at the
UNL College of Dentistry. When Gene returned from his military service
overseas in July of 1958, they would move to the ranch east of Broken
Bow.
Wilma’s college degree would prove to be an asset for helping to manage their growing purebred livestock operation. She learned computing skills on her own which would prove to be invaluable for developing the bull sale catalog and other data intensive requirements of the seedstock business. She worked tirelessly both as a homemaker and a business partner.
During these 53 years she would raise two boys, Lynn and Carl, and a daughter, Karen. Her children were her pride and joy. She was an excellent seamstress and would make many of her own and her daughter Karen’s childhood clothes. She made her own beautiful wedding dress and all five of the bridesmaids’ dresses.
Her kids and grandkids fondly remember her excellent cooking and her pies were the best. In 2011, Wilma and Gene bought a house in Broken Bow where they moved.
Wilma enjoyed spending time in her flower gardens and working for the Christian Women’s Club. She played the piano for the worship services at the Evangelical Free Church and later at the Golden Living Center retirement home. She also taught piano lessons to some of her granddaughters.
She leaves behind her husband; three children Karen (Mark), Lynn (Laurie), and Carl (Toni); eight grandchildren Sheena (Lowell), Nikki (Derrick), Leah (Luke), Levi, Spencer, Austin (Brooke), Justin (fiancé Jory) and Jamie (fiancé Brennen); and 13 great-grandchildren Madden, Cash, Rawlins, Rowan, Grant, Garrett, Moxon, Raygan, Brigston, Bexley, Declan, Isla Ree and Brynn.
Funeral services were Saturday, April 29 at 2 p.m. at the Evangelical Free Church with Pastor Tim Peterson officiating. Burial was in the Broken Bow Cemetery. Visitation was Friday, April 28, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Govier Brothers Mortuary.
Memorials are suggested to the Evangelical Free Church.
Online condolences may be left at www.govierbrothers.com.
Ellen Janeane Gibbens, daughter of Archie Gibbens and Nellie Ackerman Gibbens, was born Dec. 13, 1932, in rural Sargent, Neb. She passed away peacefully with her family by her side on April 23, 2023.
Janeane spent most of her early years in Dry Valley and Weissert Communities. She received her K-10 education at Dry Valley School District. She finished her high school years at Sargent High School, graduating in 1950.
Janeane married William “Bud” Wykoff in August of 1950. From this union, two daughters were born, Janella Clausen and Mary Cherry. Janeane and Bud lived and farmed in Gates and Weissert areas. After raising their daughters, they later divorced.
Janeane worked various jobs in the area over the years. Later in life, she decided to return to school and earn her cosmetology degree. She operated her own beauty shop in Mason City and later in Sargent until she retired. Soon after, she moved to Key Villa in Sargent. She spent the rest of her life making memories with her many friends and family there.
During her lifetime
she had many hobbies and interests. In her younger years, she played softball on the Weissert team along with her daughter, Mary. She loved to cook and bake with her daughter, Janella.
Janeane enjoyed working crossword and jigsaw puzzles in her spare time. Her favorite pastime was listening to music. Her favorite genre was Country Western. She had a vast knowledge of classic and contemporary music.
She especially enjoyed having her morning coffee in the company of her beloved siblings, Shirley, and Danny. Janeane was a devout Christian and was a member of the Sargent United Methodist Church. Through her faith, she overcame many illnesses and hardships.
Janeane is survived by her daughters and their spouses, Janella and Lyle
Clausen and Mary and Randy Cherry; brother and sister-in-Law - Danny and Diana Gibbens; sister and brother-inLaw – Shirley and Larry Young; grandchildren Travis Rhoad, Cameron Clausen and Molly Schulte; great grandchildren Traven Claflin, Grant Clausen, Joel Clausen and McKenzie Clausen; great-great-grandchildren Riggs Claflin, Ledee Claflin, Sofia Foster, Deluka Clausen and Bently Dobish; many nieces, nephews and friends, including a very special friend and confidant, Diane Dilsaver
Janeane was preceded in death by her parents Archie and Nellie Gibbens; and her brother and his wife, Arlen and Verda Gibbens
Funeral services were Thursday, April 27 at 10 a.m. at the United Methodist Church in Sargent. Burial followed in the
Dry Valley Cemetery. Visitation was Thursday morning, April 27, from 8:30 a.m. to service time at the United Methodist Church in Sargent.
Memorials are suggested to St. Jude’s Children.
Govier Brothers Mortuary were in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be left at www. govierbrothers.com.