Elizabeth M. Feese

Elizabeth M. ("Beth") Feese, 92, of Kearney, died Sunday, February 21, 2021 at CHI Health - Good Samaritan Hospital, surrounded by loved ones after a brief illness. A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, May 8, 2021 at 3:00 p.m. at St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Kearney. Mother Stephanie Swinnea will officiate and there will be no visitation. Memorials are suggested to the St. Luke’s Episcopal Church Organ Maintenance Fund. Please visit www.hlmkfuneral.com to leave a tribute or message of condolence. Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl Funeral and Cremation Services in Kearney are in charge of arrangements. She was born May 12, 1928 in Minneapolis, MN to John Roy and Edna Struble. She was a singer from an early age. After growing up in Fargo, ND and St. Paul, MN, she achieved her bachelor's degree in music education from the University of Minnesota, where she met her husband, Gerald Feese, a graduate teaching assistant in music theory. They were married August 16, 1951 in St. Paul. Three children were born in this marriage, which was a role model for many marriages. Beth led a rich life that touched many with her music, teaching, and faith. She taught music and elementary grades in Minnesota, Illinois, Iowa, and Pennsylvania, and in the Hastings College Music Dept. Hundreds of students studied in her private home studio on piano and voice, preparing for a life with a love of music and, in some cases, professional musicianship. Beth and Jerry moved to Kearney in 1962 when he began teaching in the music department at Kearney State College, now UNK. An active leader and worker in community organizations, Beth was involved in the Kearney Area Ostomy Association, Music Teachers National Association, and National Association of Teachers of Singing, and was involved in many ways at church. She could be heard singing in church choir and performing recitals. With her husband, she helped lead the choir at St. Luke's Church for several years. In 1985, at 57, she completed her master's degree at UNK. Memberships included Sigma Alpha Iota professional music sorority; Pi Lambda Theta and Eta Sigma Upsilon, honorary education societies; and Mortar Board, professional leadership honorary. Beth was very supportive of her family, whether helping children throw a baseball or attending their concerts, or accompanying Jerry's students and planning family schedules. She and Jerry loved hiking and canoeing; there were many Sunday afternoon family hikes at Cottonmill Lake and trips to Minnesota's Boundary Waters. Survivors include a daughter, Connie Moon and husband Richard of Kearney; son, David Feese and significant other, Kathy Parker, of Kearney; four grandchildren and their spouses, and five great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband and parents; two brothers Eugene and Raymond Struble; and son Glenn Feese.

Tributes

Elizabeth M. Feese

May 12, 1928 - February 21, 2021