Monday, April 4, 2016

Luanne E. Haller

Aug. 3, 1929 - April 3, 2016

McCOOK, Neb. -- Luanne E. Haller, age 86, passed away at her home in McCook on Sunday, April 3, 2016.

She was born in McCook on Aug. 3, 1929, to Edward and Frances (Wormwood) Beneda. She graduated from McCook High School in 1947. After graduation, she attended McCook Junior College. Luanne was a proud cheerleader for the Indians. In 1973, she received her special education degree from Kearney State College.

Luanne was married to C. R. "Rod" Haller, and they had five children, Linda, Nancy, David, Marcia and Mark.

Luanne taught school for over 20 years. She started her teaching career at Medicine Valley in Curtis, Culbertson Elementary, Republican Valley in Indianola and ESU 17 in Columbus. Nothing was more important to her than her students' successes.

She was also active in her community. At St. Catherine's Hospital, she worked as a Pink Lady for many years. She also volunteered and served on the Board of Directors of CASA. In addition, she worked as a mentor with the Study Buddy program. She also provided one of the first "safe houses" for domestic violence victims in the McCook area. She was a member of St. Alban's Episcopal Church and an active member of St. Monica's Guild.

Luanne enjoyed bridge with her friends, concerts in the park, programs at the Fox Theatre and Frank Sinatra music on her stereo. An avid Cornhusker fan, Luanne was known to use the lids from her pots and pans to cheer on her Huskers. But above all, she enjoyed spending time with her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and her many friends.

Preceding her in death were her parents and brother, Glen Beneda.

Luanne is survived by her brother, Robert and wife, Karen Beneda of Stone Mountain, Ga.; sister-in-law, Elinor Beneda of Lompac, Calif.; daughters, Linda and husband, Cloyd Clark, and Nancy Towne, son, David and wife, Connie Haller, all from McCook, son, Mark Haller of Hammond La., and daughter, Marcia and husband, Jim Glenn of Crete, Neb. She is also survived by grandchildren, Christian, Michelle, Tomika, Tessa, Paul, Kaitlin; eight great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild, as well as numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

A celebration of life will be Saturday, April 9, 2016, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Alban's Episcopal Church in McCook with the Rev. Charles A. Peek officiating. Internment will be in Memorial Park Cemetery of McCook.

Visitation will be Thursday and Friday, April 7 and 8. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be given to McCook Community Home Health and Hospice Services or the Court-Appointed Special Advocates (CASA).

Herrmann-Jones Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.