Nola Burrus, 96, died Friday, October 6, 2023 at the Cheyenne County Village.  She was born March 28, 1927 at the Puelz farm north of Danbury, NE to Dale and Nellie (Puelz) Kelly.  The three of them lived a short time in Alliance, NE then moved to Hawk Springs, WY where they owned a hardware store.  The Kellys lived in two rooms in the back of the store and were soon joined by Kennard (1929), Catherine (1930) and Jeanette (1932). Nola must have slept with her parents as Kennard got the baby bed, Catherine the dresser drawer and Jeanette the baby buggy.

Hawk Springs was to be a boom town but the "boom" didn't happen.  The Kellys moved back to Danbury where Dale managed the Kelly Hardware until he took a job managing the Danbury Equity Exchange.  He hired Nola as a bookkeeper when she was 12.  She got paid ten cents an hour and had to find her mistakes on her own time.  If Dale had to find the mistake, she owed him ten cents an hour.  That was the beginning of her bookkeeping career.

In 1944 Dale accepted a job as manager of the St. Francis Equity Exchange.  Nola had just finished her junior year and was NOT going to go to school in St. Francis.  She had enough credits so she graduated a year ahead of her class.  She attended McCook Community College that summer and took typing, shorthand and swimming.  That was her training for teaching school.  Nellie had accepted a job teaching a country school but had to take the year off to take care of Kennard who had a ruptured appendix. She called on Nola to fill her spot and at age 17, Nola taught 13 students from 1st to 8th grade at the Rath School north of St. Francis.  The first time she drove the car by herself was to her new job.

In June of 1945 Nola and her beau Van Burrus were enjoying a picnic with their cousins and good friends Melvin Nokes and Nada Boyer.  Melvin was on leave from the Navy and the four decided it would be a good time for a double wedding.  So on Saturday night June 23rd the two couples
and most of the parents met in Oberlin.  Van went to the theater and told the judge they wanted to get married.  The judge told them to go to his house and make themselves at home and he would be there when the movie was over.  After a fishing trip honeymoon, the extended family met at Oberlin the following weekend for a picnic reception.  That is when Nola's dad told her she would have to come to St. Francis Monday to weigh wheat as Dick Johnston was called into the service. So once again Nola filled the gap.

It wasn't long until Dale convinced Van to come to St. Francis and work at the Equity hardware and lumber department.  So for all but one year in Imperial, NE, Nola spent the rest of her life in St. Francis.  She worked as a bookkeeper at the Equity until 1960.  In 1961 she became a
cashier at the Citizens State Bank where she worked until her retirement as Vice President 25 years later.

Van and Nola had one daughter, Glorianne.  Nola had four grandchildren and three great grandchildren.  Family was very important to Nola and she and Van hosted many holiday dinners and an annual picnic after the fair parade.  She kept many scrapbooks documenting family history
and family accomplishments. Van and Nola enjoyed many activities together.  They were excellent dancers and avid golfers.

They loved fishing and went to Lake Buchanan, Texas for many winters.  They traveled with the grandkids, the Shriners and United Methodist KeenAge Caravans.  Nola visited every state but one.

Nola was a true sports fan.  She followed the St. Francis Indians, K-State Wildcats, Kansas City Royals and the Chiefs.  She had lucky socks for each team and wore them faithfully.

Even though Nola never planned to live in St. Francis, she became an active community member.  She belonged to the Amusement Authority, United Methodist Church, Tuesday Club, Hospital Guild, American Cancer Pinochle group and Eastern Star.

Nola was preceded in death by her husband Van, her parents Dale and Nellie Kelly; siblings Kennard Kelly, Catherine Gienger and husband Warren, and Jeanette Raile; and grandson Michael Milne.  She leaves to mourn her daughter Glorianne Milne, grandchildren Travis Milne
and wife Jennifer; Amanda Milne and friend Greg Neel, and Christi Brunner and husband Zach; great grandchildren Reagan and Sierra Milne and Otto Brunner; nieces, nephews and friends.

Services will be Wednesday, October 11th at 2:00 pm at the United Methodist Church with Pastor Javier Rios officiating.  Visitation will be Tuesday October 10th from 2:00 - 7:00 pm.  Burial will be at the St. Francis Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Kelly Gienger, Jordan Gienger, Tony Gienger, Steve Johnson, Teagan Neel and Randy Dinkel.  Honorary pallbearers are Ron Loudon, Rodney Bracelin, Steve Orth, Gary Rogers and Cal Nickal.

Memorials may be made to the St. Francis Senior Center or the United Methodist Church.