Elaine Caroline Bley was born on May 17, 1934 in Stratton, Nebraska to Floyd Leander and Mildred Caroline (Bohlke) Maris. She was the third of four children. She grew up on the family farm and spent much of her childhood helping milk cows each morning. Elaine attended country school outside Stratton and went on to graduate high school in Wauneta, Nebraska in 1948. After high school, she furthered her education at Kearney State College graduating in 1952 with a degree in elementary education. She would teach in Dundy, Hitchcock, Chase and Red Willow Counties and continued to educate herself, obtaining her master’s degree in 1956 from Fort Wayne Bible College.
Elaine met Ervin Bley at the Eden Country Church in rural Wauneta and the couple married on August 1, 1956. To this union four boys were born. The family made their home 14 miles north of Stratton and later moved four miles west to the home place for several years. The happiest moments of her life were her wedding day and the days she gave birth to her babies (especially her twins); she enjoyed praying with each of her boys every night before bed. Later in life, Ervin and she retired to McCook, Nebraska.
Elaine was a member of the Eden Missionary Church and the YMCA, where she loved swimming. She enjoyed watching basketball and softball as well as working in her garden. Elaine was an avid reader and loved playing the piano and singing.
Elaine passed away June 13, 2020 at the Hillcrest Nursing Home in McCook, she was 86 years of age.
She was preceded in death by her parents, a brother, Ervin Maris and a brother-in-law, Ron Wach.
Survivors include her husband Ervin Bley and sons: Gilbert Bley and wife, Kris, Leroy Bley and wife, Lanette, Lavern Bley and wife, Beth and Robert Bley; 10 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren; brother, Delbert Maris and wife, Roberta, sister, Jean Wach and sister-in-law, Sandra Maris.
Memorial services will be held at a later date. Times and locations will be posted when available.
No viewing or visitation; cremation was chosen.
A memorial has been established to Gideons International in Elaine’s Name. Friends may share words of comfort with the family at herrmannfh.com. Herrmann-Jones Funeral Chapel is entrusted with arrangements.