E. Jennings

Elvin Earl "Earl" Jennings, the eldest child of Taylor Haywood and Minnie May (Crosby) Jennings, was born June 14, 1927, on a farm northeast of Riverton, Nebraska, just across the county line in Webster County. He lost his battle with cancer on Thursday, July 12, 2007, at St. John's Good Samaritan Center, in Kearney, Nebraska. He was 80 years and 28 days old.
In the spring of 1928, he and his parents moved to a farm in Smith County, Kansas, and lived there for 12 years. In 1940, they moved to a farm in Marion Township in Franklin County, Nebraska, previously owned by his grandfather, Frank Crosby.
He attended county school in Smith County, Kansas, through the eighth grade and Franklin High School through the eleventh grade. Following high school he worked for a farmer near Norton, Kansas, and later he went on construction of building power lines in the Great Bend, Hoisington, and Larned, Kansas area. Earl came back to Franklin County and worked as a lineman on the R.E.A.
Earl served two years in the Korean War, being drafted on October 3, 1950.
On June 25th, 1955, Elvin Earl Jennings was united in marriage to Colleen June Lennemann, at St. Marys Catholic Church in Orleans, Nebraska, by Monsignor John E. Hahn. To this union two girls and two boys were born: Carol Diane, Sharon Kay, Duane Leslie, and Dale Leroy.
They made their first home in Franklin, Nebraska. In 1968, they purchased a farm north of Franklin on Highway 10, where he still resided. Earl worked for the R.E.A. for 36 years, until 1971, the same year he began working for the Lower Republican Natural Resource District and retired in 1991.
Earl was an avid reader of western books and the daily newspaper. He enjoyed his family and visiting with others.
He was preceded in death by his father in 1978; his mother; his sister, Mildred Hermanson in 1996; his brother-in-law, Gayland Hermanson; and nephews, Douglas and Gary Hermanson.
Earl leaves to mourn his passing, his wife, Colleen of 52 years; daughters, Carol and husband Richard Russell of Holcomb, Kansas, and Sharon and husband Dave Siegel of Litchfield, Nebraska; sons, Duane and wife Kathy Jennings of Aurora, and Dale Jennings of Franklin; granddaughters; Kayla and husband, Tony Nilsen of Hazard, Nebraska, Brenda and Jennifer Russell, Tanya Siegel and grandson, Nathan Siegel. Three great grandchildren: Bailey, Tagget, and Addison Nilsen. He also had five step grandchildren, and 8 step-great-grandchildren.
A mass was celebrated Saturday, July 14, 2007, at 10:30 a.m., at the St. Katharine Drexel Catholic Church, Franklin, Nebraska, with Father John Birkel officiating. Vigil service was at 7:00 p.m., Friday, July 13, 2007, at the Hutchins Funeral Chapel, Franklin, Nebraska. Organist was Elaline Mielke, and song leader was Jerrod Waggner, who sang, "Amazing Grace," "How Great Thou Art," "On Eagles Wings," and "Come Follow Me." Casket bearers were: Terry Hermanson, Matt Hermanson, Ryan Hermanson, Scot Lennemann, Randy Cline, and Doug Cline. Interment was in the Greenwood Cemetery, Franklin, Nebraska. The family suggests memorials to be given to the Franklin Library, or Hospice, in care of the funeral home. Hutchins Funeral Home, 1402 M. Street, P O Box 252, Franklin, Nebraska 68939, was in charge of arrangements.