Estella A Schurr Tillotson, 96, of Gothenburg, NE, formerly of Farnam, died July 11, 2014 at the Gothenburg Memorial Hospital in Gothenburg, NE.

She was born January 1, 1918 in Reynolds, NE, daughter of Zeb H. and Anna (Herbst) Jackson.

Estel grew up in McCool Jct, NE and attended school there until six weeks before her high school graduation. She then moved with her family to Ingham, NE and graduated from Ingham High with the class of 1936.

Estel married John J. Schurr in May of 1940. They had three children - John L., Janet and Jerry. After John's death in 1960, Estel attended beauty school. She opened the Schurr-Way Beauty Salon and was a beautician in Farnam for 42 years. Estel was past President of the Nebraska Cosmetology Association. Estel married LeRoy Tillotson, Jr in March 1967. She and LeRoy enjoyed traveling the United States and abroad. Estel helped to organize the HOP Extension Club and the Tri County 4-H Club. She served as a 4-H club leader for many years and volunteered at the Farnam Senior Center for many years. Estel was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary. She kept busy with her sewing, quilting, gardening, hairdressing and being a farm wife. Estel enjoyed spending time in her flower garden especially taking care of her peonies.

Surviving are her sons, John L. (Kay) Schurr and Jerry (Linda) Schurr both of Farnam; daughter, Janet (John) Speck of St. Paul, NE; grandsons Heath (Tiffany) Reinders, Adrianna & Grayson, Jerud Schurr, Chase & Ryleigh, Ty Schurr, Marty (Shelly) Schurr, Adalyn, Gavon, Ashlee, and Drew and great-great-granddaughter Kiera; and Ryan (Kari) Schurr & Luke and granddaughter, Paige (Jeff) Kreycik, Presley, Dawson & Jack.

Estella was preceded in death by husbands, John J. Schurr and LeRoy M. Tillotson Jr., her parents; sister, Lorene Whittingham, brother, Uland "Bud" C Jackson and sister-in-law Dylores Jackson; and a grandson Wayne Schurr.

Visitation will be held at Blase-Strauser Memorial Chapel, Gothenburg, Nebraska; Monday, July 14, 2014 1:00 pm - 8:00 pm. with the family present from 5:00-7:00 pm.

Services will be held at St Johns Lutheran Church, 102 North Ingalls, Eustis, NE on Tuesday, July 15, 2014 at 2:00 pm with Pastor Jon Mapa officiating.

Interment will follow in the Eustis Lutheran Cemetery, Eustis, NE with Pastor Jeff Cottingham officiating.

Memorials may be given to the Farnam Senior Center or the Farnam American Legion Auxiliary. To sign the online guest book, go to www.blasestrauser.com.

Blase-Strauser Memorial Chapel