Barbara Ann "Bobbie" Lesher

Barbara "Bobbie" Ann Lesher of Valentine Nebraska died peacefully at Sandhill's Care Center in Ainsworth Nebraska on Wednesday, November 12, 2025.
Bobbie was born in Grand Island Nebraska on June 10th, 1928, to Bernie and Anne McGuire. She was welcomed home by her big sister Lois Leta.
Bobbie attended a country school near Brownlee, Nebraska and graduated from Thomas County High School in Thedford in 1946.
Bobbie married Harvey Eugene, "Gene" Lesher in Seneca, Nebraska on October 25, 1946. They were blessed with 5 sons and then along came the apple of Mom's eye, gleam of Dad's eye, Mary Ann, their precious baby daughter. Bobbie Ann was a dedicated mother and wife. Throughout the years she fed most of the neighbor kids and adults at one time or another as long as they showed up at the dinner table at 6 AM, 12 PM and 6 PM sharp. She was a tomboy at heart but an excellent cook & the whole community appreciated her meals as long as they showed up on time.
Bobbie enjoyed serving on the Thedford High School Alumni committee for several years, organizing and hosting annual banquets and entertainment.
Bobbie was a faithful, dedicated member of the Catholic Church in Brownlee Nebraska, where all 6 kids were baptized. When it closed, she attended the Catholic Church in Thedford until she and Gene moved to Valentine in 2002. Bobbie continued attending church in Valentine until her death. It was important to Bobbie to show respect for her neighbors, family and friends, seldom missing a funeral or memorial service throughout the Sandhills region.
Raising six children on the family's ranch left Bobbie little extra time for hobbies. Her time was dedicated to keeping her kids from killing each other! Bobbie and Gene loved dancing together and were often seen dancing or rather, gliding on air, on dance floors all around the Sandhills. When they gathered with friends and family, a friendly game of 10 point pitch was sure to happen.
Bobbie was preceded in death by parents Bernie and Anne McGuire; husband, Gene, a stillborn infant son; adult sons Tom, Jim and daughter in law Gerri Lesher, Bernard, and her older sister Lois Leta Ogle.
Survivors include sons Dick (Roberta), Ronnie, and daughter Mary Ann Bostock (Glenn), Daughter in law, Deb, grandchildren Wade Lesher, Lane Lesher, Jodi Hendrickson (Andy), Christi (Shane) Bastian, Becky Lesher, Jason Lesher, Stacy Lesher, Cami Lesher, Aaron Lesher, and Chase Lesher. Also surviving are numerous great grandchildren and a sister in law, June Lesher.
A rosary for Bobbie will be held at St. Nicholas Catholic Church on Thursday, November 20th at 7 PM central time. The funeral is on Friday, November 21st at 10:30 AM central time. A light lunch will be served following the funeral. Burial is at Hillcrest Cemetery in Thedford, Nebraska at 2 PM central time. Following the burial, coffee and desserts will be served at the Catholic church parish hall in Thedford.