Albert "Aub" Kendle III

KEARNEY - Albert "Aub" Kendle III, 77, of Kearney died Wednesday, April 7, 2021, at Kearney Regional Medical Center with his family by his side.
Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Saturday at Kearney First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Alan Davis officiating. Interment will follow at Kearney Cemetery.
Visitation will be 4-6 p.m. Friday at O'Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral Home in Kearney and one hour prior to the service at the church.
--
Aub was born Jan. 28, 1944, to Albert F Kendle Jr. and Vivian (Erickson) Kendle in Bridgeport, Connecticut. They moved to Kearney in 1948. During his youth, he spent many days playing in and around downtown Kearney. Little did he know, the road to and from downtown would become well-traveled and well-known to him.
He graduated from Kearney Senior High School in 1962 … and oh! what a class! He loved his friends and the bond formed in their youth grew stronger as the years passed. He was always ready to share a story about those good ol' days!
After high school, he worked part time in the pressroom at Kearney Hub. Then in May 1968, on a blind date, he met Phyllis Storm, who would quickly become the love of his life. They were engaged shortly thereafter in early December and married on June 27, 1970, in Yutan, and here, their adventure began! They made their home in Kearney and Aub began working full time for his parents at Hawthorne Jewelry. His dad taught him how to "work at the bench" where he could often be found sizing rings or setting stones. He took over the jewelry store from his parents and worked successfully for many years to finally retire completely in 2000. Even throughout his retirement, he always stayed actively interested and up-to-date with the happenings at the store and loved, more than anything, to say, "That's not how I did that in my day!"
Aub loved spending time fishing on the lake. He loved trapshooting and everything to do with guns. The rumble of his motorcycle made him grin like a child and he enjoyed road trips whenever the opportunity arose. He was a fantastic storyteller and never knew a stranger.
Aub's heart loved fully and completely. He worried endlessly for the benefit of his family and worked to provide them a home filled with love and support. He was quick with a smile and always eager to give without expectation or exception.
He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Kearney, a 50-year member of Rob Morris Lodge 46, and a 32nd degree Scottish Rite Mason and a Tehama Shrine. He was also a member of the Elks and a past president of Rotary. He was also a past president of the Nebraska-South Dakota Jewelers Association.
Survivors include his wife, Phyllis (Storm) Kendle of Kearney; his children, Erika Godfrey (Jamie Craig) of Grand Island, and Steen Kendle of Kearney; his grandchildren, Ella Godfrey and Kaitlan Godfrey, Vivian Kendle and Fritz Kendle; and sister-in-law, Hermine Ellison Safford.
Aub was preceded in death by his parents and brother-in-law, James Ellison.
Memorials are suggested to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Kearney Goodfellows or to Kearney First United Methodist Church.
Visit osrfh.com to leave condolences.