Verna Ruth Horky

Verna Ruth (Mussman) Horky was born in Daykin, NE to Edwin and Viola (Pfister) Mussman on November 16, 1931. She passed away on January 10, 2025, at the age of 93 at Bryan East Hospital in Lincoln, NE.

Verna went to Daykin Public School graduating in 1949. She attended college and then began a career in teaching.

On June 27, 1955, she was united in marriage to Francis (Pete) Horky at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Fairbury, NE. They were blessed with three children, Julia, Jeffrey, and Jennipher. Verna and Pete were married for 47 years when Pete passed away in November of 2002.

Verna taught school in Daykin, NE, a country school, and West Ward School in Fairbury, NE. After teaching she stayed home to raise and care for her family. While a stay-at-home mother, she did childcare for a few years.

Verna was involved in her children’s activities such as Girl Scouts and PTA. She was a member of St. Michael’s Catholic Church and was active in Altar Society, teaching CCD, and in choir singing and playing the organ. For many years she volunteered for the Fairbury Red Cross Blood Mobile. Eventually she became the local coordinator. Verna and Pete always had a large garden and often shared their produce with others.

She loved music, spending time reading, playing cards, doing crossword and jigsaw puzzles, playing the piano, sewing and embroidery. Vacationing with family and friends was also a favorite enjoyment. Verna was a fan of the Kansas City Royals, Huskers, especially the Nebraska Girls Volleyball. Watching her children and grandchildren in their sports and music activities was a highlight for Verna.

Verna is preceded in death by her husband Francis (Pete), parents Edwin and Viola Mussman, and father and mother-in law, Thomas and Margaret Horky.

She is survived by her children Julia (Kent) Kriesel of Hebron, NE, Jeffrey (Shawna) Horky and Jennipher (Kent) Barber of Fairbury, NE; grandchildren: Reid (Cassi), Thomas (Brooke), and Joseph Horky, Andrea Kriesel, Heather (Kyle) Kalkwarf, Miranda (Trent) Pollman and Michaela (Brian) Loontjer; great-grandchildren: Kasen and Brayden Kalkwarf, Carter and Riggs Horky, Elise, Lauren, and Reece Pollman, Olivia, Hadley, and Beckett Loontjer; sister Donna Boeka; nieces and nephews.

Mass of Christian Burial will be Thursday, January 16th at 11:00 a.m. at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Fairbury, NE. Burial will be in the Fairbury Cemetery following Mass. Visitation will be held January 15th from 5:00-7:00 p.m. with Rosary following at Gerdes-Meyer Funeral Home.