Melva Ruth Hughbanks

Melva Ruth Hughbanks, age 103, of Elwood, Nebraska, passed away on Wednesday, March 1, 2023 at Elwood Care Center, Elwood, Nebraska. She was born to James and Alice (Musser) Pierce on April 11, 1919 on a farm north of Overton, Nebraska. She was the 5th child of 7 children. She graduated from Overton High School in 1937. After graduating, she worked at the Minute Man Café and for Tom Dorwort as a nanny. On July 19, 1942, she married Floyd Hughbanks. She was employed at Omaha Cold Storage in Lexington as a clerk. She and Floyd worked on the runway at the Kearney Airport the first year they were married. In 1948 their first child James was born and Janet the following year. David (1950) died at birth. During this time, they lived on a farm Northeast of Lexington for 16 years. In 1958 the family bought and moved to a farm located East of Elwood. Melva was an avid gardener, both flowers and vegetable gardens. She did oil painting, was a wonderful seamstress, making most of her own clothing. She was very active in the community, PTA chairman, 4-H leader, member of the Flower Club in Lexington. At the age of 89 she began piecing quilts. By the time she was 96 she had finished 25. She finished one quilt that she started when she was a little girl with her grandmother and quilted this herself. Those she dearly loved: Son James, daughter Janet (Dwight) Humphrey Giltner, NE, Granddaughter Jennifer (Ramon)Humphrey Salazar of Chicago, IL., Grandson Jason (Mandy) Humphrey Giltner, NE., Great grandsons Camden and Marshall Humphrey and Step great grandchildren Chase and Kinley Kaczor, all of Giltner. One brother Glenn (Edna) Pierce, Byhalia, MS. One niece and 7 nephews, other relatives, and many friends. Services will be held Monday March 20, 2023 at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Holdrege, Nebraska at 11 a.m. Inurnment will be held at a later date. Elwood Funeral Home, Elwood, Ne is in charge of arrangements.