Eugene James Ely, son of Edward H. and Laura Kerns Ely, was born on the family farm northeast of Auburn on January 8, 1915. He was one of seven children.
He received his early education in a country school (District 19) and then at St. Joseph's parochial school through the 10th grade. He was graduated from Auburn High School in 1933.
Gene continued his education at the University of Notre Dame completing a degree in physical education in 1938. He played football for the Fighting Irish throughout his college career, earning membership in the Notre Dame Monogram Club.
He married Marjorie Carol McPherren on November 26, 1938 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Auburn. Four children were born to this marriage: Margene, Karen, Joe, and Anne.
After their marriage, Gene and Marge lived in Michigan City, Indiana for three years where he was a high school football coach and also taught biology. Then the young family moved to Wichita Kansas where they lived for three years. He was a line coach for the University of Wichita and Recreational Director at Beech Aircraft.
In 1945, the Elys returned to Auburn and Gene began his long career in farming, specializing in cattle and hay production.
Gene was active in many civic and professional organizations throughout his life. He was a charter member and past president of the Auburn Rotary Club. He was also a Paul Harris Fellow and maintained perfect Rotary attendance for nearly 40 years. He served on the Auburn Board of Education for 12 years, and was Board president for part of that time. Calvert and Sheridan Elementary Schools were built during his tenure on the board.
Gene also served on the steering committees for the construction of the Nemaha County Hospital and the Good Samaritan Center. Other civic involvements included serving as president of the Auburn Country Club and chairing the Nemaha County Republican Committee for several terms.
His volunteer work played an important role in the promotion and development of the farming industry in Southeast Nebraska. He helped to establish the first Rural Water District in the state, and he was an officer in the Nebraska Alfalfa Marketing Association until his death. Gene had a lifelong appreciation of horses and horsemanship. Many youth of Nemaha County benefited from his knowledge through his active participation in Nemaha County 4-H Clubs and the Nemaha County Saddle Club.
Gene was a lifelong member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church, serving in many leadership roles in the parish throughout the years.
Gene has been recognized with a number of prestigious awards from professional and community organizations throughout his life. Rotary International presented him with the Cadwallader Award in 1977 for his outstanding service to Rotary. The Distinguished Grasslands Award was given to him in 1993 for contributions to the industry. In 1969, Gene accepted the Nebraska Pioneer Family Award for the Ely family having continuously owned and farmed land in Nebraska for 100 years.
His funeral Mass was held on December 28, 1993 at St. Joseph's Church with Rev Phillip Rauth officiating. Honorary Pallbearers were Ed Allen, Harold Moody, Dean Niemann, Dick Wilson, Joe Genoa, John Muse, Jack Reed, Fred Rothert and Dr. Paul Scott. Active Pallbearers were John Chaney, Bob Engles, Charles Coatney, Bill Fulton, Joe Moody, John George, Jon Fink and Rev. James Miller.
He received his early education in a country school (District 19) and then at St. Joseph's parochial school through the 10th grade. He was graduated from Auburn High School in 1933.
Gene continued his education at the University of Notre Dame completing a degree in physical education in 1938. He played football for the Fighting Irish throughout his college career, earning membership in the Notre Dame Monogram Club.
He married Marjorie Carol McPherren on November 26, 1938 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Auburn. Four children were born to this marriage: Margene, Karen, Joe, and Anne.
After their marriage, Gene and Marge lived in Michigan City, Indiana for three years where he was a high school football coach and also taught biology. Then the young family moved to Wichita Kansas where they lived for three years. He was a line coach for the University of Wichita and Recreational Director at Beech Aircraft.
In 1945, the Elys returned to Auburn and Gene began his long career in farming, specializing in cattle and hay production.
Gene was active in many civic and professional organizations throughout his life. He was a charter member and past president of the Auburn Rotary Club. He was also a Paul Harris Fellow and maintained perfect Rotary attendance for nearly 40 years. He served on the Auburn Board of Education for 12 years, and was Board president for part of that time. Calvert and Sheridan Elementary Schools were built during his tenure on the board.
Gene also served on the steering committees for the construction of the Nemaha County Hospital and the Good Samaritan Center. Other civic involvements included serving as president of the Auburn Country Club and chairing the Nemaha County Republican Committee for several terms.
His volunteer work played an important role in the promotion and development of the farming industry in Southeast Nebraska. He helped to establish the first Rural Water District in the state, and he was an officer in the Nebraska Alfalfa Marketing Association until his death. Gene had a lifelong appreciation of horses and horsemanship. Many youth of Nemaha County benefited from his knowledge through his active participation in Nemaha County 4-H Clubs and the Nemaha County Saddle Club.
Gene was a lifelong member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church, serving in many leadership roles in the parish throughout the years.
Gene has been recognized with a number of prestigious awards from professional and community organizations throughout his life. Rotary International presented him with the Cadwallader Award in 1977 for his outstanding service to Rotary. The Distinguished Grasslands Award was given to him in 1993 for contributions to the industry. In 1969, Gene accepted the Nebraska Pioneer Family Award for the Ely family having continuously owned and farmed land in Nebraska for 100 years.
His funeral Mass was held on December 28, 1993 at St. Joseph's Church with Rev Phillip Rauth officiating. Honorary Pallbearers were Ed Allen, Harold Moody, Dean Niemann, Dick Wilson, Joe Genoa, John Muse, Jack Reed, Fred Rothert and Dr. Paul Scott. Active Pallbearers were John Chaney, Bob Engles, Charles Coatney, Bill Fulton, Joe Moody, John George, Jon Fink and Rev. James Miller.
Eugene James Ely, son of Edward H. and Laura Kerns Ely, was born on the family farm northeast of Auburn on January 8, 1915. He was one of seven children.
He received his early education in a country school (District 19) and then at St. Joseph's parochial school through the 10th grade. He was graduated from Auburn High School in 1933.
Gene continued his education at the University of Notre Dame completing a degree in physical education in 1938. He played football for the Fighting Irish throughout his college career, earning membership in the Notre Dame Monogram Club.
He married Marjorie Carol McPherren on November 26, 1938 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Auburn. Four children were born to this marriage: Margene, Karen, Joe, and Anne.
After their marriage, Gene and Marge lived in Michigan City, Indiana for three years where he was a high school football coach and also taught biology. Then the young family moved to Wichita Kansas where they lived for three years. He was a line coach for the University of Wichita and Recreational Director at Beech Aircraft.
In 1945, the Elys returned to Auburn and Gene began his long career in farming, specializing in cattle and hay production.
Gene was active in many civic and professional organizations throughout his life. He was a charter member and past president of the Auburn Rotary Club. He was also a Paul Harris Fellow and maintained perfect Rotary attendance for nearly 40 years. He served on the Auburn Board of Education for 12 years, and was Board president for part of that time. Calvert and Sheridan Elementary Schools were built during his tenure on the board.
Gene also served on the steering committees for the construction of the Nemaha County Hospital and the Good Samaritan Center. Other civic involvements included serving as president of the Auburn Country Club and chairing the Nemaha County Republican Committee for several terms.
His volunteer work played an important role in the promotion and development of the farming industry in Southeast Nebraska. He helped to establish the first Rural Water District in the state, and he was an officer in the Nebraska Alfalfa Marketing Association until his death. Gene had a lifelong appreciation of horses and horsemanship. Many youth of Nemaha County benefited from his knowledge through his active participation in Nemaha County 4-H Clubs and the Nemaha County Saddle Club.
Gene was a lifelong member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church, serving in many leadership roles in the parish throughout the years.
Gene has been recognized with a number of prestigious awards from professional and community organizations throughout his life. Rotary International presented him with the Cadwallader Award in 1977 for his outstanding service to Rotary. The Distinguished Grasslands Award was given to him in 1993 for contributions to the industry. In 1969, Gene accepted the Nebraska Pioneer Family Award for the Ely family having continuously owned and farmed land in Nebraska for 100 years.
His funeral Mass was held on December 28, 1993 at St. Joseph's Church with Rev Phillip Rauth officiating. Honorary Pallbearers were Ed Allen, Harold Moody, Dean Niemann, Dick Wilson, Joe Genoa, John Muse, Jack Reed, Fred Rothert and Dr. Paul Scott. Active Pallbearers were John Chaney, Bob Engles, Charles Coatney, Bill Fulton, Joe Moody, John George, Jon Fink and Rev. James Miller.
He received his early education in a country school (District 19) and then at St. Joseph's parochial school through the 10th grade. He was graduated from Auburn High School in 1933.
Gene continued his education at the University of Notre Dame completing a degree in physical education in 1938. He played football for the Fighting Irish throughout his college career, earning membership in the Notre Dame Monogram Club.
He married Marjorie Carol McPherren on November 26, 1938 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Auburn. Four children were born to this marriage: Margene, Karen, Joe, and Anne.
After their marriage, Gene and Marge lived in Michigan City, Indiana for three years where he was a high school football coach and also taught biology. Then the young family moved to Wichita Kansas where they lived for three years. He was a line coach for the University of Wichita and Recreational Director at Beech Aircraft.
In 1945, the Elys returned to Auburn and Gene began his long career in farming, specializing in cattle and hay production.
Gene was active in many civic and professional organizations throughout his life. He was a charter member and past president of the Auburn Rotary Club. He was also a Paul Harris Fellow and maintained perfect Rotary attendance for nearly 40 years. He served on the Auburn Board of Education for 12 years, and was Board president for part of that time. Calvert and Sheridan Elementary Schools were built during his tenure on the board.
Gene also served on the steering committees for the construction of the Nemaha County Hospital and the Good Samaritan Center. Other civic involvements included serving as president of the Auburn Country Club and chairing the Nemaha County Republican Committee for several terms.
His volunteer work played an important role in the promotion and development of the farming industry in Southeast Nebraska. He helped to establish the first Rural Water District in the state, and he was an officer in the Nebraska Alfalfa Marketing Association until his death. Gene had a lifelong appreciation of horses and horsemanship. Many youth of Nemaha County benefited from his knowledge through his active participation in Nemaha County 4-H Clubs and the Nemaha County Saddle Club.
Gene was a lifelong member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church, serving in many leadership roles in the parish throughout the years.
Gene has been recognized with a number of prestigious awards from professional and community organizations throughout his life. Rotary International presented him with the Cadwallader Award in 1977 for his outstanding service to Rotary. The Distinguished Grasslands Award was given to him in 1993 for contributions to the industry. In 1969, Gene accepted the Nebraska Pioneer Family Award for the Ely family having continuously owned and farmed land in Nebraska for 100 years.
His funeral Mass was held on December 28, 1993 at St. Joseph's Church with Rev Phillip Rauth officiating. Honorary Pallbearers were Ed Allen, Harold Moody, Dean Niemann, Dick Wilson, Joe Genoa, John Muse, Jack Reed, Fred Rothert and Dr. Paul Scott. Active Pallbearers were John Chaney, Bob Engles, Charles Coatney, Bill Fulton, Joe Moody, John George, Jon Fink and Rev. James Miller.
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