Besse M. Headley 1919-2010

HEADLEY FRY FISHER

Posted By: Connie Swearingen (email)
Date: 3/25/2011 at 21:29:31

Sioux City Journal
4 January 2011

CORRECTIONVILLE, Iowa -- Besse M. Headley, 91, of Correctionville, formerly of Sidney and Arnold, Neb., passed away Friday, Dec. 31, 2010, at Correctionville Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.

Visitation will be 5 to 7:30 p.m. today, with a prayer service at 7:30 p.m., at Grace United Methodist Church in Correctionville. The Nicklas D Jensen Funeral Home of Correctionville is in charge of the arrangements.

Besse was born to sandhill homesteader and rancher, Charles M. and O'Dilla (Fry) Fisher, on June 28, 1919, in Arnold, Neb. She graduated from Arnold High School with the class of 1937. After graduation, she entered normal training, but went to work as Arnold's citywide switchboard operator.

On April 13, 1943, she became a war bride, marrying Donzel "Jack" Headley in Washington D.C. After World War II, the couple purchased Central Grocery in Arnold. In 1952, they moved the business across the street, purchasing the Jack and Jill. In the 1950s, they started the Swirley Top, bringing soft serve ice cream to Arnold. In 1962, Jack and Besse moved to Sidney, Neb., buying the Jack and Jill Store which they successfully operated until they retired until 1984. Jack passed away in 1994. Besse moved to Correctionville in 2002.

Besse was a longtime volunteer at the Sidney and Correctionville nursing homes. She was affectionately known by the residents as the "juice lady" and the "popcorn lady." She was a member of Eastern Star for nearly 70 years. Besse loved to travel, knit, fish and eat ice cream. Most of all she was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.

She is survived by four children and their spouses, Joe Headley of Lodgepole, Neb., Charles (Jan) and Lisa Headley of Omaha, Tanja and Don Shever of Correctionville, and Jim Headley of Gering, Neb.; 10 grandchildren, Barbara "Buffy" and Dean Soucie, Joe and Kari Headley, Aree Ann Headley, Chuck and Theresa Headley, Marisa Headley, Kate Headley, Emma Headley, Shad and Ashley Mika, Jeni and Chris Schmidt, and Alex Haeberle; and 12 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; brother, Charles and wife, Lou Fisher; and two stillborn children, Mark and Mary.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the American Diabetes Association; the Alzheimer's Foundation, or the Correctionville Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.