My Family in Prairie Home Cemetery, Part I

The Prairie Home Cemetery near Diller, Nebraska is the closest thing to a "family" cemetery that I have. For several years, my Grandparents lived one mile east of this rural cemetery located just inside the Jefferson County line in southeast Nebraska. Grandpa used to mow the (natural) grass. If it weren't for the trees, you would be able to see their old house while standing at their grave. There are about 2000 burials in the cemetery and many of them are my relatives. It's a 2 hour drive for me, and I get there once a year or so. 

My paternal Grandparents were both born in Gage County, and lived most of their lives in the Diller and Ellis area with two exceptions. They moved to Aurora about 1956, stayed there about 10 years then moved back to Gage County to the farm a mile east of the cemetery. In 1997 when they were 80 and 77, they returned to Aurora to be closer to their children for help in their advanced age. 

They had purchased their burial plot long before their final move. So, when the time came for each of them, their visitations and funerals were held in the morning in Aurora followed by a luncheon there at the church. Then family and those who wanted to go made the 130 mile trip to the cemetery for the graveside service which was followed by another luncheon at the church in Ellis. 

MENKE

Doris D               married              Kenneth C

June 8, 1920          Nov. 19,            Nov. 28, 1917

Sept. 18, 2017          1938               Mar. 26, 2003

One of Grandpa's brothers, Willis, is also buried in Prairie Home Cemetery. His parents, Albert & Lottie Menke are buried about 30 miles from Prairie Home in Clatonia, Nebraska. 

Several of Grandma's sisters and two brothers also lie in Prairie Home, along with many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and her parents and grandparents.