Arlene Mae Ebke

Arlene Mae (Nun) Ebke, daughter of Gustav J. Nun and Lydia (Nedza) Nun, was born October 7, 1931 at home near Ohiowa, Nebraska. She died at her home near Daykin, Nebraska on September 12, 2026. Her spirit and mind were willing to continue on, but her physical body was unable.

Arlene’s family attended St John Lutheran Church in Ohiowa, where she was baptized, confirmed, and married.

Arlene grew up on the family farm, the only girl amongst four brothers. She graduated from Ohiowa High School in May of 1949. During the following summer she attended teachers training at Nebraska State Teachers College at Kearney. The next school year, she taught kindergarten through 8th grade at a rural school in the Ohiowa area.

On August 8, 1950 Arlene was united in marriage to Harold E. Ebke of Daykin, Nebraska. Their marriage was blessed with three sons.

They made their home on the Ebke family farm where Harold was born and raised. They took great pride and satisfaction in working together to improve and maintain their farmlands and farmstead. After Harold’s death in 2007, Arlene assumed full responsibility for maintaining the farmstead and kept a keen interest in the farming activities until just prior to her death.

In their retirement years Arlene and Harold were able to enjoy traveling and square dancing. Additionally, they were proud spectators at their grandchildren’s academic, musical, and sporting activities. Arlene was excited to continue attendance at her great grandchildren’s activities.

Arlene’s family enjoyed the products of her baking, cooking, and canning skills.

Quilting was a large part of Arlene’s life. She was a long-time member of the Never Idle Club, where the emphasis was quilting. Her grandchildren and great grandchildren all received baby quilts hand quilted by Arlene, including a great grandchild expected in October. Also, the grandchildren were recipients of wedding quilts.

Arlene was an active member of St John Lutheran Church in Daykin, Nebraska.

Arlene is survived by sons Steven and Deborah of Daykin, Jerold and Sharon of Fairbury, and Darrell and Susan of Lincoln; grandchildren John and Rachel Ebke of Fairbury, Mitchell and Jenny Ebke of Roca, Anne Chappell of Fairbury, Kate and Jason Hesser of Crete, Jennifer and Jeffery Wolgamott of Lincoln, Jill and Ryan Duell of Lincoln, James and Kelsey Ebke of Martell, Stephanie and Tyler Siegert of Omaha, Natalie and Ryan Massa of Littleton, Colorado, Whitney and Derek Dam of Hooper, William Ebke and fiancé Elizabeth McCrakin of Oklahoma City; 23 great grandchildren; brother Melvin and Norma Nun of Loup City; sister-in-law Doris Ebke of Lincoln; and nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, September 18 at 2:00 pm at St. John Lutheran Church in Daykin, NE. Family will be greeting friends on Thursday evening from 6-8 pm at Gerdes-Meyer Funeral Home in Fairbury, NE. Interment will be in St. John Lutheran Cemetery in Daykin. Gerdes-Meyer Funeral Home of Fairbury is assisting the family with these arrangements.