Elizabeth Ann "Bea" Elliott

Elizabeth Ann “Bea” Elliott, 96, Kearney, died Wednesday, July 12, 2017 at Brookdale Northridge in Kearney. A memorial service will be 10:30 a.m., August 3, 2017 at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church with Fr. Rick Moon officiating. Inurnment will be at the St. Luke’s Episcopal Church columbarium following the service. Memorials are suggested to St. Luke’s Episcopal Church stlukes-kearney.com or Kearney Public Schools Foundation kearneypublicschools.org/foundation Bea was born January 14, 1921 in Wray, Colorado to Charles and Aura (Brakey) Houtchens. The large Houtchens family moved about the Wray, Yuma, and Culbertson area of Southwestern Nebraska/Colorado prior to calling Kearney home forever. She graduated from Kearney High School in 1939 and then attended Kearney State College. Bea married Joseph Elliott April 3, 1942 in San Fernando, California. To that union were born three children. Bea and Joe created a wonderful home for their kids in a town that was and still is possible – Kearney, Nebraska. During World War II, while Joe was serving in the Pacific, Bea lived at the Waldemar apartments on 5th Avenue with her first born, Gary. The apartment was a couple of blocks away from her job at the telephone company (she loved that job). Daycare was a few blocks North (Joe Elliott Sr. and Mary) or a few blocks South at the Houtchens home. Bea put her kids first and that all seemed to work out. Gary, Bob, and Mary Jo all graduated from Kearney High School and Kearney State College. Bea loved this City and so do we. She was an “unindicted co-conspirator” for the establishment of the “Rowdy Section” at KHS athletic events in 1969. The now famous sign “The Rowdy Section Cares” was drawn up on her kitchen floor on West 36th Street. She kept the “secret” and the rest was history. Thanks Mom! She was a member of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, the Altar Guild, a charter member of Chapter GG P.E.O., and PTA. As well as volunteering her time on many election boards, at the Frank House, and Trails and Rails Museum. Bea is survived by her sons, Gary of Canaan, CT, Bob Elliott and his wife Kathy of Denver, CO; daughter Mary Jo Buresh and her husband Steve of Plainville, KS; grandchildren, Andi, Jackie, and Kate Elliott, Lauren, Mallory, and Ryan Buresh. Bea was preceded in death by her husband, five brothers, Wilber, Max, Bob, Preston, and Jim; and one sister, Barbara Beshore.

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Elizabeth Ann "Bea" Elliott

January 1, 1921 - July 12, 2017