VEDA JOYCE LOFTIS formerly of Tekamah and Craig, Nebraska, passed away July 5, 2008 at Oakland Heights Nursing Home in Oakland, NE at the age of 82.

Veda Joyce (Reinert) Loftis was born on May 19, 1926 to Guy B. and Lulu (Davis) Reinert on a ranch near Ainsworth, NE. She was the seventh of eight children. When she was 4 yrs old the family moved to Burt County.

Veda was a long time member of the Alder Grove United Methodist Church until her death. She began school at a rural school east of Tekamah.  She later attended Craig Public School and graduated from Craig High School in 1945.  She briefly worked in Omaha and Blair before her marriage.

On March 17, 1948 Veda was united in marriage to Robert P. Loftis at the Methodist Church in Craig, NE. They resided on their farm south of Craig until they retired and moved to Tekamah in 1996. After Bob’s death in 2007 Veda moved to Oakland Heights.

Veda was a member of the Craig Eastern Star for many years and held many offices. She was a member of the Merry Makers Birthday Club and loved playing cards and games of all sorts. She also enjoyed quilting, gardening, cooking and bowling.

Veda was preceded in death by her parents, husband Bob, and brothers: Melvin, Eldred, Byron, and Roy Reinert and sisters: Margaret Anthony, Jeanette Cantley, and Eva Swanson.

She is survived by sons: Gary & Sharon Loftis, Steve & Mary Loftis, Craig, Ed & Tammy Loftis, Bartlesville, OK, and daughter: Cindy & Tim  Jensen, Lawrence, KS; 14 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren; Melissa & Clint Florell, Brant, Sam, & Ava, Kearney, NE; Greg Loftis & Anna Petri, Steamboat, CO; Megan & Matt Enstrom, Gavin & Madison, Shawnee, KS; Sarah & Dan Gramke & Ashlynne, Lincoln, NE; Carrie & Matt Kroeker, Emma & Annelise, Everett, WA; Andy Jensen, Lawrence, KS; Ben & Julie Jensen, Olathe, KS; Molly Jensen, Lawrence, KS; Kevin & Holly Loftis & Parke, Craig; Robby Loftis & Katie Loftis, Craig; Anne & Joseph Frana, Oxford, NC; Amber Loftis & Darrin Loftis, Bartlesville, OK; in-laws: Doris Reinert of Tekamah, Alice & LeRoy Peterson of Salem, OR, and Bob and Juanita Hovendick of Lincoln, MO, many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

FUNERAL SERVICE: Tuesday, July 8, 2008, 10:00 a.m. at the Alder Grove United Methodist Church in rural Craig, Nebraska.

BURIAL: Craig Cemetery, Craig, Nebraska

VISITATION: Monday, July 7, 2008, 1 - 8 p.m. with the family receiving friends from 6 - 8 p.m. at Pelan Funeral Home in Tekamah. Visitation will also be held Tuesday at the church one hour prior to the service.

MEMORIALS: Craig Alder Grove Parish

Please feel free to send your condolences to the family.
Each condolence will be printed and given to the family after the service.

pelan@pelanfuneralservices.com