Nora Jean Neely 1944 - 2005

NEELY, HARRIS

Posted By: Connie Swearingen -Volunteer (email)
Date: 1/21/2019 at 09:39:56

Sioux City Journal
9 January 2005

NORTH SIOUX CITY -- Nora Jean Neely, 60, of North Sioux City died Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2005, at her home after a courageous 16-month battle with cancer.

Services will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at Riverside Lutheran Church. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be 4 to 8 p.m. Monday, with the family present 6 to 8 p.m., and a prayer service at 7 p.m., at the church. Arrangements are under the direction of Christy-Smith Berkemier Chapel.

Nora Jean was born March 17, 1944, in Phoenix, Ariz., the third of 12 children born to Leonard and Dorothy Harris. As a child she was introduced to many areas throughout the Midwest as her family raised and raced thoroughbred horses. She graduated from South Sioux City High School in 1962.

She married Dale Neely on May 28, 1962 at Salem Lutheran Church in Dakota City. Together they immediately moved to Lawton, Okla., where Dale received surveyor training in the U.S. Army. Upon completion of his training, they were stationed at Fort Knox, Ky. and remained there until 1964. They then returned to Sioux City and proudly welcomed their first-born son, Dale LeRoy Jr. Four years later, they gave birth to a daughter and christened her Norine Ann.

In 1969 they moved to rural North Sioux City, where they remained raising their children and a variety of barnyard animals. During that time Nora gave to the community through many organizations. Nora joined the church family of Riverside Lutheran, where she served as the Sunday School Superintendent for a decade, was a member of Rebecca Circle and helped with any job that needed an extra hand.

As a member of McCook Elementary PTO, Nora was an instrumental leader in the effort to purchase land at McCook Lake for future school expansion. This is the current site of the Dakota Valley District schools. She was a volunteer with the Children's Miracle Network and the Walk for Cancer. Nora was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary and enjoyed placing flags at the local cemetery on Memorial Day.

In 1976, she put her people skills to work at St. Luke's Regional Medical Center as an admissions registrar. She never met a stranger in her job of 28 years and made many good friends. Nora enjoyed gardening, shopping, traveling and spending time with all of her family and friends.

Survivors include her husband, Dale; a son, Lt. Col. Dale Neely Jr., his wife Sheila and their daughters, Christina and Emily of Wichita, Kan.; a daughter, Norine Spears, her husband Rod and their children, Zachary, Kieran and Adelai of Lawrence, Kan.; her mother, Dorothy Harris of Bellwood, Neb.; six brothers, Leonard (Sue) Harris of California, CWO4(R), Tom (Midge) Harris of Washington, Lt. Col. (R) Charles (Col. Janet) Harris of Maryland, Davy (Deborah) Harris of Maine, Danny Harris, and Roy (Denise) Harris, all of Nebraska.; five sisters, Katherine (Albert) Walton of Nebraska, Dorothy (Gary) Cheevers of Missouri, Sandra (Jerry) Rettele, Sally Muckey and Jola (Billy) Carnes, all of Nebraska.; in addition to numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her father, Leonard "Bud" Harris.

Pallbearers will be Nora's six brothers. Honorary pallbearers will be her five sisters.