Reta Mae Coffey

May 10, 1923 - October 29, 2017

Reta Mae (Harre) Coffey was born to John & Theresa (Leif) Harre on May 10, 1923 at the home on a farm northeast of Exeter. She went to her eternal rest in Heaven on October 29, 2017 at the age of 94 years, 5 months, and 19 days. She had resided at Heritage Crossings Nursing Home for the past 3 years. She was the oldest of 15 children, and she lived her whole life in Exeter. Reta Mae attended Country School and made her first communion at St. Stephen’s Catholic Church. She graduated from Exeter High School in 1940. After graduation, she married Leonard Coffey on May 1, 1943, and they made their home in Exeter raising their five children. She was a loving wife and wonderful mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and great great grandmother who loved spending time with family. She spent many hours in the kitchen cooking fantastic meals and making everyone happy. She had a very strong faith and loved the Blessed Mary and the Rosary, which she recited daily. She was preceded in death by her parents John & Theresa Harre; infant daughter Mary; sons John & Richard; son-in-law Ernie Christensen; brothers Lawrence, Kenneth, Jerome, Gene, Paul, Aloysius; and a sister Gladys. She is survived by daughter-in-law Barbara Coffey of Beaver Crossing, Nebraska; son Robert & Peggy Coffey of Grand Island, Nebraska; daughters Sylvia Christensen of Columbus, Nebraska and Jeanette & Raymond Franzen of Exeter, Nebraska; brother Frank & Gayla Harre of York, Nebraska; sisters Evelyn Coffey of Exeter, Nebraska, Pat Hansen of Tucson, Arizona, Joan Kuska of Lincoln, Nebraska, Doris & Nick Nicholas of Exeter, Nebraska, Jeanette Paulus of Loveland, Colorado, Leona Smith of York, Nebraska; 12 Grandchildren, 25 Great Grandchildren, and 2 Great Great Grandchildren. A Rosary for Reta Mae was held on Thursday, November 2, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. followed by a Funeral Mass at 10:30 a.m. at the St. Stephen’s Catholic Church in Exeter, Nebraska. Father Steve Thomlison officiated the services. Agnes Anderson accompanied Jessica Ruhl who sang “Be Not Afraid,” “Mother Dear, O’ Pray For Me,” “I Am The Bread Of Life,” “Ave Maria,” and “On This Day, O’ Beautiful Mother.” Pallbearers for the service included Doug Coffey, Michael Coffey, Thomas Coffey, Jeffrey Coffey, Kurt Coffey, and Scott Christensen. Interment was held in the Exeter Cemetery following the Mass. Farmer Funeral Home of Exeter, Nebraska conducted the services. Online condolences may be left at www.farmerandsonfuneralhome.com Memorials are suggested to the St. Stephen’s Catholic Church or the St. Jude’s Childrens Hospital.