Jerilyn “Jerri” (Hill) Daugherty, 83, of Holdrege, formerly of Clay Center and Kearney, died Wednesday, November 9, 2016 at Phelps Memorial Hospital in Holdrege.

Funeral services will be at 2:00 pm Monday, November 14, 2016 at O’Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral Home in Kearney. Chaplain DeWane Dow will officiate. Interment will be in the Kearney Cemetery.

Jerilyn was born on June 19, 1933 in Clay Center, Nebraska to Loren and Pauline (Adler) Hill. She attended Clay Center School and graduated high school in 1951. She fondly remembered Clay Center, where she was active in school plays and worked at the local movie theater in high school. She worked at the Clay County Assessor’s office after graduation. She especially enjoyed visiting her Grandpa and Grandma Hill’s farm near Deweese, NE. She often talked about riding in the back of her grandfathers Model A and how cold it was sitting in the rumble seat.
She married Allen E. Ockinga on June 14, 1952 and to this union three children were born; Cynthia, Susan, and Barbara. They divorced. They lived for some time in Clay Center and Grand Island, settling in Kearney where she was a long time resident. She was active in farm life, extension and card clubs. She developed a lifelong love for animals during this time. She worked at Kaufman’s Department Store, and later at Baldwin Filters. She was a member of Zion Lutheran Church. This marriage ended in divorce.

She married Elwin Daugherty on September 24, 1974 and they had one son, John. Jerri and Elwin retired from Baldwins Filters on the same day in 1997. After retirement she enjoyed collecting dolls, owls, and elephants. They always had a special dog. When it came time to move to assisted living, she refused until her final dog “Charlie” passed away.

Jerri was known as a kind person who always had a place in her house for those in need. She enjoyed reading romance novels. Later in life she enjoyed slot machines and scratch cards, with her friend Larry Chase, and was always ready for a trip to the casinos.

Due to declining health, Jerri moved to assisted living in 2012, for a short time in Kearney, and late in 2012 moved to Chrisoma West in Holdrege, NE. In November of 2015, she moved to Christian homes where she resided until her death. Many employees at the Christian home complex were fond of her and she often had them laughing. She enjoyed Holdrege’s North Park, and spent many hours watching and feeding the ducks and geese.

She is survived by one sister Alice Procter of Aurora, Daughters, Cindy Mayo of Kenesaw, Susan Cleaver of Kearney, Barbara Knuth and her husband Stanley Knuth of Oxford. Son John Daugherty and his wife Margaret of Kearney. Four Grandchildren, Kristi Castillo, Eric Cleaver, and Dusty Knuth of Kearney, and Dylan Knuth of Minneapolis, MN. Two Great Grandchildren Ian and Maya Castillo of Kearney. Step children Don Daugherty and his wife Sheila of Adair, Oregon, Patty Huff and her husband Mark of Kennewick, Washington, Kathy Brison and husband Ken of Papillion. Eleven Step Grandchildren and seven Step -Great grandchildren. One nephew Richard Procter, and friend Casey of Grand Island.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Elwin in 2003, nephew Mike Procter, brother in law Carl Procter and one Step Granddaughter.