Lenora "Norie" L. Bartley

Lenora Lynne “Norie” Bartley, 67, of Kearney, NE died Friday, June 21, 2024, at Kearney Regional Medical Center, surrounded by her son and siblings. Services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, June 28, 2024, at the Congregational Church in Ravenna, NE. Pastor Jeff Zinnell will officiate. As Norie chose cremation, there will be no visitation, though the family will greet friends after the service. Per Norie’s wishes, a private interment with immediate family will be held later at Highland Park Cemetery in Ravenna. Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl Funeral and Cremation Services in Kearney is coordinating the arrangements. Condolences may be left at www.hlmkfuneral.com or mailed to her son (2800 N 50th St., Lincoln, NE 68504). Memorials are suggested to the family for later designation. Lenora Lynne (Pabian) Bartley was born October 9, 1956, in Grand Island, NE to Marie “Mary” (Hanousek) Pabian and Vernon Pabian. Norie and her seven younger siblings were raised by their mother in Ravenna. Norie was educated in Ravenna and graduated from Ravenna High School. Norie lived in York, NE during her marriage to Darral Bartley, Jr., where she had two sons, Jamie and Dustin. Jamie passed away at six weeks old in June 1980. Norie returned to Ravenna to raise Dustin in 1981. Norie remained in Ravenna for two decades, briefly moving to Hastings before settling in Kearney. Norie was known for her work ethic and regularly took on demanding physical jobs despite her lifelong asthma. After cleaning rooms at InterMotel Leasing in Ravenna, she later worked at the Ravenna cheese plant, Eaton Corporation in Hastings, West Company and the Buckle warehouse, both in Kearney. In her final working years, she took much joy in roles as a greeter at Walmart and cashier at Boogaarts as she got to visit with her many friends and former coworkers from Ravenna and beyond. Norie loved people and she never met a stranger. Beyond working as a cashier and greeter, Norie loved catching up with friends on Facebook, seeing Ravenna friends during Annevar each June, visiting with her neighbors and making new friends at the Peterson Senior Activity Center, concerts at Harmon Park and numerous other community activities. The people Norie loved most, however, were her family. Norie never forgot a birthday or anniversary and could always be counted on for a card, call or other message of congratulations and support. She was also devoted to decorating family graves every Memorial Day. Norie loved monthly dinners with her siblings to celebrate their birthdays and catch up, as well as holidays, family reunions and any other reason to spend time together. Most of all, Norie loved her son, Dustin, and cherished each visit, call, text and card from him. She was particularly fond of their Sunday afternoon phone calls, which started when Dustin moved to college and continued until her passing 25 years later. Norie also loved God. She was raised in the Open Bible Church in Ravenna. She and Dustin later became members of the Ravenna United Methodist Church, where Norie took an extended turn giving the weekly children’s sermon. Norie and Dustin also regularly attended the Ravenna Congregational Church along with Norie’s mother. Upon settling in Kearney, Norie and Dustin would celebrate holidays at First United Methodist Church. Norie is survived by her son, Dustin, of Lincoln. She is also survived by her siblings Beverly (Dan) Whitford of Kearney, Joanne Pabian of Kearney, Donna (Nick) Mendyk of Ashton, Loren (Lori) Pabian of Kearney, Gretchen Pabian of Holdrege, Suzanne Pabian of Kearney, and Charles Pabian of Kearney; and by her nephew Kirby Mendyk of Broken Bow and niece Lisa (Kyle) Woodgate of St. Paul. She was preceded in death by her infant son Jamie, parents, and several extended family members.

Tributes

Lenora "Norie" L. Bartley

October 9, 1956 - June 21, 2024