Clara Lydia Peacock

Clara Lydia Peacock was born on April 1, 1925 in O’Neill, Nebraska to Homer and Sarah (Cole) Lowery. She grew up in Emmett, Nebraska where she attended grade school before graduating from O’Neill High School in 1942. Clara furthered her education at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln where she received her BA and Master’s degrees in Elementary Education. As a young girl, Clara enjoyed music, sewing, 4-H, fishing and reading. She was active in her church and began teaching while she was in high school. Clara married Grant Woodrow Peacock on July 10, 1943 at the Methodist Church in Emmett, Nebraska and they were blessed with three sons: Kenneth, Curtis and Carroll (Cal). Clara and Grant raised their family and lived in Emmett, O’Neill, Lincoln, Nebraska and McAllen, Texas and finally moving back to Valley, Nebraska in 2013. Clara taught at several country schools, Atkinson, Nebraska, Plattsmouth and Lincoln Nebraska and Harlingen, Texas. She was also the Chicago Northwestern Depot agent in Emmett from 1945 to 1954. Clara worked part-time for many years conducting informational surveys for Gallup and other companies. Clara was a member of NSEA, Nebraska Republican Party, Library Boards, Church Circles, Community organizations, a 4-H leader and a young adult Square Dance Club. She loved music, especially with her sons, gardening, canning, politics, playing cards and games. Clara collected plates, taught herself to play the piano by ear and enjoyed fishing. She won 2nd Superior at a National Music Contest in Minneapolis in Voice. Many of the highlights of Clara’s life revolved around family: marriage to Grant, birth of her sons and grandchildren, her education degrees, travelling overseas and family vacations to the Blackhills, Yellowstone, Missouri and Colorado. Clara was independent, stubborn, outgoing, musical and on occasion a little feisty. She was an avid Husker fan, enjoyed fried chicken, a hot cup of coffee and dinner out at the Legion Club. Being a bit of a “lead foot”, Clara had no patience for slow drivers. She had several sayings: “You don’t pay for your raisin’ til you raise one of your own”, “A rabbit went through so we can go through” and “Pick your rut and stay in it, cause you’ll be in it for the next Mile”. Clara will be most remembered for her big heart, love of music, her ‘firm” disposition”, leadership, and love of family history. Clara passed away on Saturday, February 17, 2018 at Valhaven Nursing Home in Valley, Nebraska at the age of 92 years, 10 months and 16 days. She was preceded in death by her parents Homer and Sarah, sister Sadie, husband Grant, grandchildren Chuck and Shannon and great grandson Dwayne. Clara is survived by sons and daughters-in-law Ken and Carolyn of London, Ohio, Curtis and Anna of Lincoln and Cal and Toni of Valley, Nebraska; 7 grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren and 2 great great grandchildren.

Clara Lydia Peacock

April 1, 1925 - February 17, 2018