Kay Ebeler, 78, of Crab Orchard

E. Kay Ebeler was born to Scott and Mary Lucille (Truscott) Lovitt on January 13, 1947 in Tecumseh, Nebraska.  She was the oldest of four children and grew up on the family farm near Crab Orchard, Nebraska, surrounded by siblings and multiple cousins. She attended Lewiston Consolidated Schools, graduating with the Class of 1965. She was active in 4-H, church, and school activities. Due to multiple cousins, the family rarely missed a sporting event. Kay represented Crab Orchard at Girls State in 1964.  After high school, Kay attended Peru State College obtaining her BS and teaching certificate. During college, Kay also frequently worked at the Johnson County Community Hospital as a nurse’s aide. 

She was married to Eldon Arthur Henry Ebeler of Tecumseh on June 24, 1971, at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Steinauer, NE. They made their home near Crab Orchard, Nebraska.   

Kay’s first year of teaching was at Humphrey Public Schools in Humphrey, Nebraska. She then taught at Nemaha Valley Schools in Cook, Nebraska, before returning to her high school alma mater Lewiston High School in 1976 where she taught until her retirement in 2009.  Kay not only taught Home Economics, but was sponsor for Future Home Makers (FHA), Pep Club, and was a frequent class sponsor. She rarely missed school activities and was beloved by students and colleagues. 

Kay was a long-time member of St. Andrew’s Church in Tecumseh as well as an active member of the Altar Society. Kay was active in and held leadership positions in Crab Orchard, NE and District – wide of the American Legion Women’s Auxiliary. After retiring, Kay designed and sewed quilts of valor for local veterans in the Crab Orchard area.  Kay loved to sew anything and everything. She designed and made multiple formals for weddings and proms for family and students. Her nieces and nephews were treated to handmade blankets and stuffed toys.  She also loved to cook. Her desserts were highly anticipated treats for nieces and nephews.

Her husband Eldon passed away November 21, 2024.  When her health declined, Kay moved to Gold Crest Retirement Center in Adams, Nebraska.  She passed away there on October 16, 2025 at the age of 78 years.

She is survived by her brothers Jay R. Lovitt and wife Ingrid and Leon Lovitt and wife Wendy, sister Lou Ann Linehan and brother-in-law Kevin, sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Shirley McPherrin, Ron Ebeler and wife Vera and Wayne Eltiste and dozens of nieces and nephews, and great nieces and nephews.  

Kay was preceded in death by her husband, Eldon A. H. Ebeler, parents, F. Scott and Mary Lucille Lovitt, parents-in-law, Carl and Alvera Ebeler, brothers-in-law Robert McPherrin, Lonnie Ebeler and Bob Workman and sisters-in-law Lois Eltiste and Betty Workman.   

Mass of Christian Burial Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, October 24, 2025 at the St. Andrew Catholic Church in Tecumseh, Nebraska with Fathers Christopher Kubat and Thomas McGuire co-officiating.

Visitation will be held at the Wherry Mortuary in Tecumseh, Nebraska, Thursday, October 23, 2025 from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., with family greeting friends from 5-7 p.m.  Rosary will be recited at 7:00 p.m.

Memorials may go the St. Andrew Catholic Church or the Vesta Cemetery.

Interment will be at 1:00 p.m. in the Vesta Cemetery, rural Tecumseh, Nebraska.

Online condolences may be left @ www.wherrymortuary.com.