Georgene LeeRoy “Genie” (Nightingale) Phillipps, 82 years old of Burwell, Nebraska passed away on July 1, 2019 at Valley County Hospital after a battle with cancer.
A memorial service will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, July 9, 2019 at the United Methodist Church in Burwell, Nebraska. Pastor Dennis Davenport will officiate. A memorial visitation will be Monday from 5 – 7 p.m. at Hitchcock Funeral Home in Burwell. Memorials are suggested to the Burwell Fire Department.
Genie was born January 14, 1937 in Burwell, Nebraska to Roy and Emma Nightingale. Her only sister Gladys was 18 years older. Millie Troxel her niece was the same age as Genie and they grew up like sisters. They loved having fun on the farm together. One time they tried to can baby chicks alive.
Genie graduated from Burwell Jr. Sr. High school in 1955. She went to an Omaha School of Business and then married her high school sweetheart Donald Ray Phillipps on June 9, 1957. After Don graduated from the University of Nebraska in Lincoln they worked for the Warren Olson ranch near Bartlett, Nebraska and then moved to Burwell, Nebraska where they lived the rest of their lives. She worked at the Burwell Community Memorial Hospital in the office and also at the ASCS office. She won several awards in range judging contests. She was a great artist. Many friends and families have been blessed with her paintings. She also made beautiful embroidered quilts and afghans. She loved to garden and take care of her kids and grandkids. She was an avid reader of history with a special interest in WWII and Native Americans. She served with the United Methodist Women organization for years and love playing Bridge with her club. She made the best homemade bread, cinnamon rolls, noodles and pies. She never wanted to miss the Burwell Rodeo.
Genie is survived by her husband Donald Phillipps, children: Sherry and Keith Jarvis, Jill Phillipps and fiancé JP Conrad, Steve and Holly Phillipps all of Burwell, Grandchildren: Tyler and Sarah Swett, Rachelle and Travis Wright and Cooper Phillipps all of Burwell, Great Grandchildren Miles Wright, Colter Wright, Myah Wright and Taysen Swett all of Burwell. Nephews and Nieces: Millie Troxel, Sally and Gerald Burns, Mick and Mary Ashman, Carl and Joan Ashman, Roxanne Lahrs and Bruce and Judy Ashman, Mick Phillipps, Bill and Linda Phillipps, Pat and Estella Phillipps, Bob Phillipps, Marie and Lin Gumb, Sue and Bruce Switzer, Randy Scherzberg, Christina Scherzberg, and Marilee Mayberry and many more great nieces and nephews.
Genie was preceded in death by: her parents Roy and Emma Nightingale, sister Gladys Ashman, Nephew Dick Ashman.
