Alta M. Bentley

Alta M. Bentley, age 91, of Omaha, formerly of Miller, passed away Monday, March 1, 2021 in Omaha. Funeral services will be on Monday, March 8, 2021 at 10:30 a.m. at the United Church of Sumner – East Campus. Pastor Ken Hutson will officiate and burial will be at Armada Cemetery in Miller, NE at approximately 11:15 a.m. Visitation will be on Sunday, March 7, 2021 from 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. at Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl Funeral Home in Kearney and also 1 hour prior to services on Monday at the church. Memorials are suggested to the Armada Cemetery. Please visit www.hlmkfuneral.com to leave a tribute or message of condolence. Horner Lieske McBride and Kuhl Funeral and Cremation Services are in charge of arrangements. Alta Marie Becker was born on February 18, 1930 to Edward and Bertha (Pflaum) Becker and passed from this life on March 1, 2021. Alta was born at home on a farm outside Elm Creek, NE. Even though she was born in what people refer to as “The Dirty Thirties” she and her sisters Louella and Betty enjoyed farm life and found ways to have fun with paper dolls and playing house despite the hard times. When Alta finished 8th grade, the family moved to town. Her mother, Bertha, was determined her girls would attend high school and it would be much easier for them if they lived in town. Alta graduated from Elm Creek High School in 1946. She enjoyed staying in contact with her classmates and even lived near several of them when she moved to Northridge in Kearney after her husband’s passing. During the summers, Alta spent her time babysitting and cleaning house for neighbors and relatives. She loved little children and could not resist a baby. This was evident throughout her life, but most especially once the grandchildren started arriving. On October 11, 1946, Alta married Keith Bentley in Norton, KS. They lived together happily for 67 years until Keith’s passing in 2014. On a farm north of Miller, NE they raised kids and corn and cattle. When Travis Moomey, their first grandchild was born, Alta found a joy that only grew with the births of ten more grandchildren, 30 great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild. Keith and Alta were active members of the First Christian Church in Elm Creek where Alta enjoyed teaching Sunday School for many years. They volunteered in many capacities in Buffalo County 4-H. Keith and Alta both led 4-H clubs, sponsored 4-Hers who went to Ak-Sar-Ben and mentored 4-Hers throughout Buffalo County. Alta enjoyed community activities and was a member of Buffalo County Extension Club, Redwing Homemakers Club, the Christian Fellowship of Women and Miller Senior Citizens Club. Alta loved bowling and belonged to a bowling league that competed every Tuesday. Alta lived north of Miller until after Keith’s passing when she moved to North Ridge Assisted Living in Kearney. There she found old friends and made new friends who helped her enjoy her days. In 2019, when it was determined that she needed more care, she moved in with her youngest granddaughter, Laurel Bentley Peterson, who cared for her tenderly and with much love until she passed. Surviving relatives include her daughters, Kathy Moomey and husband Rick of Sumner, NE, Janna Pierce and husband Dick of Miller, NE, and her son, David Bentley, and wife Maris (Weidner) of Plattsmouth, NE; 11 grandchildren; 30 great grandchildren; and one great-great grandchild. Alta was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Keith, her sisters and their spouses, her grandson, Joshua Mark Pierce, her great grandson, Paul Smith, and many other beloved family members and friends who are greeting her in heaven.

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Alta M. Bentley

February 18, 1930 - March 1, 2021