Obituary Record

Harriet Edna (Bennett) McKamy
Died on 6/4/2021

Published in the Enterprise July 243, 2021

(Photo)

Memorial Services for Harriet McKamy, age 95, of O’Neill will be 10:30 am on Friday, July 30, 2021 at the First Christian Church in O’Neill. Visitation will be July 29, 2021 from 5-7 PM at Biglin’s Mortuary with a 7 PM Prayer Service. Harriet passed away on Friday, June 4, 2021 at Crowell Memorial Home in Blair, NE. Memorials can be made to the O’Neill First Christian Church or Crowell Memorial Home in Blair, NE. Arrangements are entrusted to Biglin’s Mortuary of O’Neill.

Harriet Bennett McKamy was born on September 7, 1945, to Dr. Harry and Edna Bennett. She had two older sisters, Ethel, and Dorothy, and one younger sister, Barbara. She had a special relationship with her father, for whom she was named, as they shared a love of hunting and fishing. Harriet spent her entire life in O’Neill until injuries from a fall in 2018 required that she move to Crowell Memorial Home in Blair.

Harriet graduated from O’Neill High School in 1942. While in high school, she was a Drum Majorette and played in the band. She also worked part-time at the O’Neill Bakery. After graduation, she was employed at the Outlaw Grocery Store and later became a bookkeeper at the O’Neill Grain Company. It was there that she met Don McKamy and found they shared a love for hunting and fishing. Don and Harriet were married on October 15, 1945, in O’Neill. They spent their honeymoon and many subsequent anniversaries duck hunting. The couple had four children, Donald Leroy, Bruce Ann, Jerome Alan, and David Bennett. Both Donald and David only lived a short time due to birth defects. Harriet was a housewife when Bruce Ann and Jerry were young. She returned to the workforce when they were older, first at Novak Shoe Store and then at the Holt County Department of Roads where she retired after 25 years.

Harriet and Don were avid bowlers, bowling several times a week in a variety of leagues. Harriet also enjoyed traveling to bowling tournaments with her teams & childhood friend, Eva Frank. She had many great memories of traveling to national tournaments where her team would consistently place in the different bowling competitions. Harriet also enjoyed playing cards, watching all levels of football, especially the Huskers, and following her grandchildren and great-grandchildren’s sports and activities. Later in life, Harriet loved when friends stopped by the house to visit or play cards, going to Jerry’s cabin and the annual birthday trips with Bruce Ann. Harriet was a lifetime member of the American Legion Auxiliary. She was a member of The Order of Eastern Star Symphony #315 and was awarded with her 50-year membership pin in 1995. She was also a member of the First Christian Church in O’Neill.

Harriet lived to the age of 95 years and 9 months. Those who knew Harriet will always remember her for her contagious smile, friendly nature, and love of life.

Harriet is survived by her children Bruce Ann (Steven) Sorensen of Blair, Jerome McKamy of O’Neill; Grandchildren Amy (Justin) Haberman of Omaha and Lance Sorensen of Blair; Great-Grandchildren Zachary, Jaxon, Olivia and Cooper Sorensen and Cade, Cole, and Chloe Haberman; Sister, Barbara (Rev Russell) Galbreath of Burien, WA: and many nieces and nephews.

Harriet was preceded in death by her husband of 54 years, Donald McKamy, infant sons, her parents and sisters Ethel Ferree and Dorothy Bennett.

~~~ Obituary courtesy of the Nebraska Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Blair Public Library at Blair, Nebraska.~~~

Find a Grave #153894671

Printed in the Washington County Enterprise on 7/23/2021


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