Anita Gade, age 86 of Laurel, Nebraska, passed away on Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025, at the Hillcrest Care Center in Laurel surrounded by her family.
Funeral services were Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025, at the United Lutheran Church in Laurel with the Rev. Matthew Quanbeck officiating. Burial was at the Laurel cemetery. Arrangements were under the direction of the Wintz Funeral Home in Laurel.
You may watch a livestream of the funeral at: laurelulc.org/livestream.
Pallbearers were her grandchildren and honorary pallbearers were the Randolph Woman’s Club and the Bible Study Ladies.
Anita Kay was born on Aug. 11, 1938, to Frank Arthur Johnson and Florence Alberta August in their farmhouse in Dixon County Nebraska. Anita was the youngest of three siblings.
She walked to the District #42 Country School for her elementary training. Anita married Verneal Paul Gade on Nov. 19, 1955, in Jackson, Minnesota. She graduated from Laurel High School in 1955 and attended Wayne State College. Anita began teaching at a country school for a semester before starting her family. She and Verneal had four children Kevin, Robin, Roxann and Russell.
Anita always kept busy working at Lony’s Cafe, Norvell Agency, the Laurel School Cafeteria, Pizza Ranch, Cedarview Country Club and she also worked as a CNA. She enjoyed caring for people so much she went on to receive her Licensed Practical Nursing degree at the age of 60. She continued working at Hillcrest nursing home in Laurel until the age of 82 for a total of 32 years.
Her homemade cream puffs and potato salad were family favorites. Anita taught piano lessons and played the organ and piano for churches for over 70 years. She especially enjoyed traveling with her family, with a very memorable cruise on her 50th wedding anniversary with her entire family to the Caribbean and various other trips. Anita also was a broadcaster for the Laurel news on KTCH radio. Anita will always be remembered as a very caring, loving person and always willing to help anyone. She was very active in her church and community. In her younger years she volunteered as a Den Mother for the Cub Scouts and the Blue Birds.
Anita’s greatest accomplishment was her family. Her fondest memory was going with her brother Deane, as a tagalong, on dates to Sioux City. Her favorite place was the big house on the hill. Anita’s favorite color was green and she loved her three cats named Stanley, Lucifer and Isabell.
Anita is survived by her husband Verneal of Laurel; four children: Kevin (Fran) Gade of Lincoln, Robin (Sandy) Gade of Fremont, Roxann (Mike) Brown of Mullen, Russ (Judy) Gade of North Bend; 10 grandchildren: Keane Hank, Kaleb (Jeanne) Gade, Molly (TJ) Hannasch, Stacy (Adam) Paitz, Kasey (Tony) Norder, Emily Brown, Frank (Amy) Gade, Stephanie (Tim) Lackovic, Alexander (Rachel) Gade, Cassy Gade; 5 step-grandchildren: Ed (Leticia) Meitzen, Andrew (Kindra) Meitzen, Jake (Amanda) Money, Marcus (Jennifer) Brown, Samantha (Sam) Fhuere; 17 greatgrandchildren: Sunny and Shy Gade, Skye (Tyler) Pahl, Kaja, Jude, Diem and Dace Hannasch, Avery, James, Harper and Hunter Paitz, Roxy Norder, Connor, Tatum and Pierson Gade, Caroline Lackovic, Adalyn Gade; 7 step-greatgrandchildren: Bailey Ball, Jacob (Keala), Michael and Rager Money, Kaylin and Lane Brown, Holdyn Fhuere, greatgreat- grandson: Mylo Pahl; step-great-great-granddaughter: Londynn Money; sister: Arlys McCorkindale of Laurel; sisters-in-law: Gloria Stingley, Joan Johnson, Cherry Urwiler; many nieces and nephews.
Anita was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Florence Johnson; her parents-in-law Paul and Kaja Gade; brother and wife Deane and Donna Johnson.