Elaine M. Cortney

Elaine M. Cortney, 95 of Fairbury, Nebraska, passed away peacefully at Gardenside Care Home in Fairbury on November 12, 2020.  Born August 6, 1925, in Bruning, she was the fifth and last child of William Gerhardt & Anna Luke Hellina (Ortgies) Niemeyer.

Elaine attended country school and graduated from Belvidere High School in 1942. After getting her teaching certificate Elaine taught in area country schools for five years.

One evening, Elaine and several of her friends attended a dance in Daykin where she met the “love of her life” Jim Cortney from Alexandria.  They were married May 29, 1947.  Their union was blessed with five children.

After marrying, Elaine and Jim lived and farmed near Alexandria until 1962 when they moved to Fairbury.

Elaine loved supporting and nurturing others.  In the early years, Elaine was a stay-at-home mom raising her children and volunteering with their activities.  Whether it was a walk through the neighborhood with her children, a trip to the playpark with her grandchildren or a trip to feed the ducks at Crystal Springs with her great grandchildren, she took the time to enjoy the simple activities.

Elaine returned to the workforce doing home visits through Head Start helping new moms and their families get started.  Later she joined Jefferson County Nursing Home (now Gardenside Care Home) as a nurse’s aid eventually earning her CNA certificate.  She was also an active member of the St. Michael’s Altar Society.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Jim, infant son Stephen and infant daughter Ellen.  Also preceding her in death were her brothers John, Louis, Alvin and sister Wilma Fitzgerald as well as several nieces and nephews.

She is survived by her children Mary Johansen and her husband Wayne, Tim Cortney and his special friend Christine Doremus, and Biny Coordsen and her husband Brian. Additionally, she is survived by her grandchildren Patrick Johansen and his wife Devin, Russell Johansen and his wife Kiersten, Cortney Driewer and her husband Jeremy, Camilla Cortney and her wife Megan Fender, Cale and Emma Cortney and Jacob, Nathan and Matthew Coordsen. She is also survived by 10 great grandchildren. Two sisters-in-law, Kathleen Selig and Ruth Disney as well as many nieces and nephews and friends.

Services will be Tuesday, November 17, 2020 at 10:30 a.m.  at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Fairbury. Rosary will be Monday evening at 7:00 at St. Michael’s.  Memorials will go to St. Michael’s Catholic Church.  Gerdes-Meyer Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Masks required at all services.