Evelyn Colleen Hale

Evelyn Colleen (Renz) Hale

July 30, 1926 – February 3, 2024

Evelyn Colleen (Renz) Hale, 97 years of age, of Beatrice, formerly Cortland was welcomed into heaven on Saturday, February 3, 2024 at the Good Samaritan Society in Beatrice. She was born the fifth of eight children to Clarence and Gertrude (Glathar) Renz on July 30, 1926 near Diller. Evelyn attended country schools in the Diller area and graduated from Diller High School in 1943. She attended Peru State College and taught country school in Jefferson County. Evelyn met James Engler and married him in 1946. To this union, a son, James "Jim" was born. They later divorced. In the early 1950's, Evelyn met "the love of her life", Kenneth Steve Hale at a dance. They were married on August 21, 1953 and lived on the family farm near Cortland. To this marriage, a daughter, Bonnie was born. Evelyn remained on the farm after Kenneth's passing until July 18, 2022. At that time, she decided to go to the Good Samaritan Society in Beatrice to live with a new community of friends. The family wishes to express their gratitude to the caring staff at the Good Samaritan Society and Cottonwood Hospice.

Evelyn is survived by her daughter, Bonnie Bartlett and husband Henry of Cortland; son, Jim Engler and wife Kathy of Lincoln; grandchildren, Tammy Samuel of Lincoln, Michelle Wilkinson and husband Tim of Hickman, Colleen Herfel and husband Jason of Filley, Steve Bartlett and wife Briana of Cortland, Marianne Bartlett of Salina, Kansas, Jay Bartlett and wife Sarah of Beatrice; great-grandchildren: Karissa Cotton, Terryn Samuel, Ronni Wilkinson, all of Lincoln, Jordan Wilkinson of Hickman, Autumn Bartlett, Colton and Kade Herfel, all of Filley; great-great granddaughter, Hope Hiles of Lincoln; sister-in-law, Bernice Hale of Adams; and many nieces nephews and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Kenneth on August 8, 2000; parents-in-law, Steve and Faye (Wellington) Hale; sisters, Faith Hoppe and husband Louis, Hope Nippert and husband Willard, Doris Diekman and husband Dick; toddler brother, Glen; brothers, Joy Renz and wife Marguerite, Ray Renz, Darrell Renz and wife Eva; brother-in-law, Donald Hale; sisters-in-law, Doris Lukehart, Norma Orth; and several nieces and nephews.

Memorial Services will be held at 11:00 AM Monday, February 12, 2024 at the Cortland United Church in Cortland with Rev. Casey Karges officiating. Interment will be at 9:00 AM Monday, February 12, 2024 at Lincoln Memorial Park Cemetery in Lincoln. Meet at Gate 2. Visitation with family present will be from 2:00 to 3:30 PM Sunday, February 11, 2024 at Harman-Wright Mortuary in Beatrice. Memorials are suggested to the Cortland United Church in care of the mortuary. Condolences may be left online at www.harmanwrightmortuary.com. Harman-Wright Mortuary & Crematory in Beatrice in charge of arrangements.