Alfred L. Andrews

A Funeral Service for Alfred will be held on Wednesday, March 1, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. at the First Congregational United Church of Christ in Geneva, Nebraska with Kim Dunker presiding. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, February 28, 2023 from 1:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. with family present from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Farmer & Son Funeral Home in Geneva, Nebraska. Graveside Services will be conducted following the Funeral Service in the Geneva Public Cemetery in Geneva, Nebraska. Memorials are to be directed to the First Congregational United Church of Christ. Alfred Lyle Andrews was born to Harold C Andrews & Irma G Gould Andrews on July 24, 1941, at Hollenberg, Kansas, and passed away on February 25, 2023, at Fairmont, Nebraska. He was the second of five children with three brothers and one sister. His earliest memories began when he lived on a farm located about 5 miles east of Hollenberg, Kansas. The North side of the farm was on the state line that joined Nebraska. He lived on this farm for about 13 years. His farm life was typical of other farms in the area. They had a team of horses, and a F-20 Farmall tractor that had steel wheels. They raised corn, wheat, alfalfa and prairie hay. The only crop that they sold was wheat, all the rest was fed to the cattle, hogs and chickens. Alfred attended the local country school. It was ½ mile South and ½ mile West of their house. The school had closed before they lived in that district, because of lack of school age children. They were told that the school would re-open if he and his older brother would attend. The catch was that Alfred was not old enough, but if he was a good enough student, it would re-open. Alfred really enjoyed school and studied hard. His goal was to read every book in the library but never quite succeeded. In eighth grade he started going to town to school in Hollenberg. His sophomore year, he went to High School at Diller, Nebraska. After High School, Alfred graduated from The Nebraska Technical College at Milford, Nebraska, on June of 1960 with a degree in Electrical Technology. Alfred met Sherrie Sole at one of the school dances. She was going to Lincoln School of Commerce. They were married on February 3, 1961. To this union their daughter, Kim and son, Jeff was born. Alfred accepted an offer from General Dynamics as a checkout Electronic Technician on the Atlas Missile Base Activation. They traveled to many missile sites in Iowa, Kansas, Wyoming, Nebraska and New York. They were always subject to moving at a couple days notice. Alfred and Sherrie wanted to return to Geneva to start an electrical contracting business. They were tired of traveling and wanted to be around family. Andrews Electric was started in 1962. The company has now been in business 61 years. Alfred was interested in joining Boy Scouts as a young boy, but in rural Hollenberg, he did not have the opportunity. After Jeff joined Cub Scouts, Alfred got a taste of scouting at the Cornhusker Council Dad and Lad Campout. Soon after, Alfred volunteered as a Webelo leader. He moved to Assistant Scout Master when Jeff moved on to Boy Scouts. He learned the “worst kept secret in scouting” that the leaders can have just as much fun as the boys do. He eventually became Scout Master and was awarded the District Award of Merit in 1983. Alfred spent countless hours with scouting, from paper drives, pancake feeds, campouts, district and council work, summer camps and high adventure camps. He was one of the two leaders that took the troop to Philmont Scout Ranch in 1983 for 12 day in the New Mexico Rocky Mountains. Alfred petitioned to join Masonic Lodge #79 of Geneva and was raised to the degree of Master Mason. He enjoyed the many years of being mentored by Ben Fussell and learning the degree work, as well as being with the brethren. Alfred was Master of the lodge in 1990. Alfred also pursued his Masonic journey by taking the York Rite degrees. Alfred was a 50+ member of the First Congregational United Church of Christ. He enjoyed going to bible study and being an active member of the church. A couple years ago, Alfred met Carolyn Krause at a fundraiser at a local church. They enjoyed watching movies, going out to dinner, traveling and being with family. Alfred was preceded in death by his parents Harold and Irma Andrews; wife, Sherrie Kay Sole; sister-in-law, Barbara Andrews, Ardyce Whiteley, Viola Sole; nephew, James Andrews; brother-in-law, Harold Sole. He is survived by daughter, Kim (Craig) Rippe; son, Jeff (Lora) Andrews; grandchildren, Heather (Clayton) Behmerwohld, Ryan Rippe, Daniel (Brandi Simacek) Andrews, Nick Andrews and Aaron Andrews; great-grandchildren, Remington Behmerwohld, Vanessa Behmerwohld, and Beckham Rippe. Brothers Ervin Andrews, Jerry (Karolyn) Andrews, Keith (Ramona) Andrews; sister Carol (Dale) Hinz; brother-in-laws Keith Sole and Melvin Whiteley. Special Friend, Carolyn Krause.

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Alfred L. Andrews

July 24, 1941 - February 25, 2023