BERNARD MODRELL

PALISADE_Bernard Modrell, son of James A. and Hattie King Modrell, was born in a sod house on the Modrell farm in Red Willow County of Nebraska on Sept. 23, 1905. It was here that he grew to manhood and accepted an early responsibility to the chores and field work on the farm. Just recently he recalled, with family members and friends, the thrill of working in the field with the new Titon tractor and the long happy hours spent in this endeavor. He also told about going to town with his father in the wagon and having a lunch of crackers and cheese sitting on the tongue of the wagon.

The early Christian training he received at the Box Elder Church was one of his most cherished memories. He attended McCook High School and had the thrill of playing football during his senior year. He graduated in the year of 1924.

In 1928 he was married to Irene Dunham at the country home of the bride's mother. For four years they lived in McCook where Bernard was employed at the McCook Equity and Irene worked at the New Montgomery Ward Store. In the spring of 1932 they moved to the family farm where Irene had been born and raised, six miles north of Palisade, Neb., Struggling with the early problems of farming and coping with the economy of the 30's was a worry and concern that the family tried to overcome. One of the greatest memories of the Modrell family was the close cooperation and friendship that the young farmers of that neighborhood enjoyed. And to this day, this bond of friendship of these early memories stilll exists by the few remaining neighbors.

Bernard was a lifetime member of the Methodist Church and he was also a member of the Masonic Lodge and the Order of Eastern Star. In 1970 Bernard and Irene move to Palisade as Bernard's health would not permit him to continue with the work on the farm. He was preceded in death by his parents, James A. and Hattie Modrell.

He is survived by his wife, Irene; two children, Brenadene, or Bunnie as she is affectionately known; one son, James Birl, one son-in-law, Leroy Jussel; one daughter-in-law, Eloise Modrell; five grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; two sisters, Pluma Herzog and Mildred Poore, and one brother, Earl Modrell, who will all cherish the memories of this loving family member.