Ora Lee Barnum, a lifelong resident of Stapleton, passed away peacefully at Centennial Park, on November 15, 2021 at the age of 87 years.
Ora was born on June 10, 1934 in Dickens, Nebraska to Gerald Aubrey and Bertha Syvia Favinger Barnum. He was one of 7 children. He was raised north of Stapleton on the family ranch, and graduated from high school in Stapleton in 1952.
Ora met the love of his life Sara Jane Johnson at a dance in Arnold in 1951. They were married on October 4th,1953 at the Presbyterian church in Stapleton. Ora and Sara resided at the family ranch for 27 years where they raised their 4 children, Donald, David, Darrell, and Donna. Ora retired from ranching in 1980, and they bought a house in Stapleton where they still reside. I don’t know if he ever truly “retired”. In 2000, they built Sara’s Place and ran the café till they sold it in 2016. Ora enjoyed helping his kids, whether it was checking water for the cattle, checking to see if there were any calving or going to the brandings. He loved it all. Ora was always ready to jump in the coyote wagon to go out driving to see if he could find a coyote. He was never a fast driver until he saw a coyote and let the dogs out and then you better hold on for dear life because you never knew how fast he was going to go or when he was going to stop. Ora enjoyed going to watch his grandchildren and great grandchildren in the many different activities that they were in. He hardly missed an activity.
Ora is survived by the love of his life Sara of Stapleton, NE, his children Donald (Sandy) Barnum, David (Janet) Barnum, Darrell (Vicki) Barnum all of Stapleton, NE. Donna (Billy) Melvin of Sutherland, NE, his brother Junior Barnum of Gandy, NE, sister in law Twila Miller of North Platte, NE; grandchildren, Tasha Kramer of Texas, Lewis Barnum of Mackey ID, Dixie Lehmkuhler (Nathan) of North Platte, NE, Amanda (Matt) Brouilette of Maxwell, Nicole Barnum (Curtis) of North Platte, NE, Heidi Reitz of Hershey, NE, Eric Garrelts of Stapleton, NE, Tyler Barnum (Angie) of Gibbon, NE, Justin (Addie) Barnum of North Platte, NE, Tanner Barnum of Kansas, Jay (Toni) Powers of Tryon, NE, Cameron (Julie) Powers of Hershey, NE, Shaylee (Braka) Matlock of North Platte, NE, Brandi (Lucas) Anderson, Danelle (Joshua) Bode all of Sutherland, NE, Amy (Chauncy) Hesseltine of Paxton, NE. 34 great grandchildren and one great great grandchild.
He is preceded in death by his infant daughter Michelle Jean, his parents Gerald and Bertha Barnum, Father and mother-in-law Harry and Vera Johnson, siblings Ralph Barnum, Louise James, Goldie Freeman, Evelyn Schutt, and Elda Weller and brother-in-law Raymond Hermansen.
Funeral services will be held 2:00 P.M., Saturday, November 20, 2021 at Adams and Swanson Funeral Home with Rev. Clint Walker officiating. Visitation will be noon – 7:00 P.M., Friday, November 19, with family receiving friend from 5 – 7, at Adams and Swanson Funeral Home who is in charge of arrangements.
A memorial has been established to the family. Online condolences and sharing of memories may be directed to www.adamsswanson.com.
For those unable to attend, the service will be livestreamed via the Adams and Swanson Funeral Home Facebook page.