LaFae M. Bushnell, 89, died Saturday, March 13, 2021 at Highland Park Care Center.
LaFae was born April 9, 1931 in Sterling, CO to Dyall I. and Bertha M. (Jensen) Powers. The family moved to Alliance where a baby brother was born, Allen Lee Powers. She attended high school, graduating in 1949. She was Prom Queen and also an AHS cheerleader! The story is that she was walking across the street, after work, where she was a telephone Operator, when a convertible full of Cowboys drove by. There was a bet and Bruce Bushnell won, throwing his rope around her. The beginning of 37 years together and the birth of one child, Julie Bushnell Garrett! They traveled the country, living in many different towns, ranches and states. Some of these included, starting off at the Spade Ranch for Bixbys, Westmond, Idaho where they had a motel and small bar/restaurant and small ranch. After moving back to Nebraska it was different ranches, different jobs, moving frequently, following her cowboy. Life was an adventure and it included acquiring many friends, for all! She’s was particularly fond of the Sandhills.
She became a beauty operator, taking after her mother, who had the East Third Beauty Shop, where Erin Dubs now has her shop! She was a phenomenal cook and seamstress, making clothes for Julie, and shirts for Bruce and her grandsons, and much more. She was an avid reader, which filled her days when at the nursing homes.
After going their separate ways, she took on different jobs, including working for a longtime family friend, Bill O’Mara, who was a chiropractor in Texas, and Ralph Hoxworth, H&H Sanitation as a bookkeeper. She loved her job at both places and those involved.
It became necessary for her to require assisted living in 2016, eventually moving to Highland Park Care where she concluded her life on earth. She touched many lives here, as she did in all of the many other places she lived. Most knew her as vivacious, loving life with a fun loving spirit, which she carried with her to the very end! She left behind a huge family that she loved at Highland Park, a “second “ daughter, Connie O’Mara Deganahl, her brother Allen in Arizona, daughter Julie in Gering, grandsons Jeff (Cailey Reiman Garrett) and Jace (Hannah McKay Garrett) from Wyoming, her beloved great-grandchildren (Delci, Macie, Tripp, Sutton, Wade), and many, many friends!
There will be a service for her, once weather is warm, sunny and after calving! LOL
Online condolences may be left at www.batesgould.com. Bates-Gould Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.