Derrell Blayne Easterday, 94 years of age, of rural Bertrand, passed away on Friday, December 18, 2009 at his daughter’s home in Lexington, Nebraska. Derrell was born February 6, 1915 at Eustis, Nebraska, the son of George and Olive (Johnson) Easterday. He received his education at Elwood, Nebraska.

Following his education, Derrell began to work with his father, hauling cattle to Omaha, Nebraska.

On April 24, 1937 he was united in marriage to Arvetta Mae Stewart and to this union seven children were born: Roger, Gary, Dean, Allen, Kent, Arlene and Keith. The family made their home in Idaho and Oklahoma before returning to Bertrand. Derrell and Arvetta raised their family on the family farm north of Bertrand. Derrell engaged in farming until he was 62 years of age and then pursued a career as a Road Grader for the Phelps County Department of Roads. He enjoyed his job and took great pride in his work on the grader. Derrell loved to talk about the “Good Old Days” and enjoyed a good conversation with his many friends, neighbors and family.

On November 11, 2001 he was preceded in death by his wife, Arvetta. Derrell remained on the farm until his failing health approximately six months ago when he shared his time residing with his children. He leaves to mourn his passing his three children: Gary Easterday and his wife, Gayle of Mountain Home, California, Kent Easterday and his wife, Diane of Altoona, Iowa and Arlene Longly of Lexington; daughter-in-law: Barb Easterday of Lexington; 19 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; brother-in-law, Rex Stewart and his wife, Mary Ellen of Bella Vista, Arkansas; sisters-in-law: Elene Stewart of LaCanada, California and Maxine Bennett of Ord, Nebraska; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Besides his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents; four sons: Roger, Dean and his wife, Dee, Allen and Keith Easterday; and four grandchildren: Gary Easterday Jr., Curt Thomas Longly and Jennifer and Jacqueline Easterday. Visitation will be on Monday, December 21, 2009 at the Sandstrom Funeral Home in Bertrand from 1:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. with the family greeting from 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

Funeral Services for Derrell B. Easterday will be conducted from the United Methodist Church in Bertrand, Nebraska on Tuesday, December 22, 2009 at 10:30 a.m. with Reverend Connie Karr, officiating. Interment will be in the Highland Cemetery at Bertrand.

A memorial has been established in his memory and will be designated at a later date.

The Sandstrom Funeral Home