Cherry Lee Needham, 79, of North Platte, NE passed away on Tuesday, May 30, 2023 at her home.
Cherry was born on December 1, 1943 in Ogallala, NE. She was adopted and raised by Bert Edwin Needham, Jr. and Pauline (Mitchem) Needham. The family moved to North Platte and Cherry attended North Platte schools graduating from North Platte High School in 1962. She worked as a bank teller for a short time before deciding to join the U.S. Army. She served in the U.S. Army for 20 years and was stationed in many countries and states during her active tours of duty including: Turkey, Korea, California, Alaska, and Alabama. She was stationed in Leavenworth, Kansas until her retirement in 1987. She received many awards and citations during her time in the military. She then went on to work as a corrections officer with the KDOC at the Lancing, KS correctional facility for 18 years. Cherry was active in the VFW and a Gold Circle member. She enjoyed collecting Mickey Mouse memorabilia and was an avid reader.
Those left to cherish her memory are her sister, Loretta Joan Glanzer and husband Jerald of North Platte and five nephews; brothers, Kirt Allen Needham of KS and a niece, and Clay Bruce Needham and wife Diana of IN.
She was preceded in death by her parents and by a brother, Russell Needham who was killed in action during Vietnam.
Graveside services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, June 5, 2023 at Fort McPherson National Veterans Cemetery near Maxwell with George Cheek officiating. Family and friends are invited to meet at 10:00 a.m. on Monday at Carpenter Memorial Chapel to process to the cemetery. There will be no visitation. Carpenter Memorial Chapel has been entrusted with the arrangements.