Houston Edwards

Hastings resident, Houston W. Edwards, 85, of Perkins Pavilion, died Sunday, December 5, 2004 at Perkins Pavilion.

Committal service will be Friday, December 10, 2004; 10:00 A.M. with military rites by Hastings Veterans Organizations in Parkview Cemetery, Hastings, Nebraska. Memorial service will follow at 11:00 A.M. at Faith Lutheran Church with Rev. Paul Dunbar officiating.

Mr. Edwards was born September 4, 1919 on a farm in Montgomery County, near Wales, Iowa to William M. & Edna Lee (Scott) Edwards. He moved with his family to Wheeling, Missouri where he graduated from high school. He moved to Lincoln, Nebraska and started his career with Safeway grocery stores. After serving in the United States Army during WWII from November 12, 1942 to February 22, 1946, he returned to his job with Safeway Stores in Lincoln. On December 1, 1946, he married Lillian M. Flesner in Lincoln, Nebraska. He became District Relief Manager and managed stores in Beatrice, Fremont, Columbus and York, Nebraska in addition to stores in Lincoln. He was a manager 13 of his 17 years with the company. He then entered the health care field with Lutheran Health Systems. He was an Administrator of Hospitals & Nursing Homes in Wyoming, South Dakota, Kansas and Nebraska. He received his higher education at the University of Wyoming and University of Colorado. He was nominated to the College of Hospital Administrators, a national professional organization. As an Administrator, he served as President, Vice President or was on the Board of Directors at several State and Regional organizations. He was elected Chairman of the Board, Western States Region of the National League for Nursing. While in Kansas, he was on the Executive Board of the Western Kansas Health Care Planning Commission. And was one of the three Administrators named by the state to serve as an Advisory Board to the Department of Medicaid, State of Kansas. He retired and moved to Hastings, Nebraska in 1980. He worked at Wal-Mart following retirement and received the first 'Customer Choice' award. He was a member of Faith Lutheran Church and the American Legion. He was a past Vice Chairman of the Hastings Community Development Advisory Board, served on the City Council and also as the City Commissioner.

Mr. Edwards was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Lillian , one sister, two brothers and a granddaughter.

Survivors include,
Daughters: Joyce Harrison - Marengo, IL
Marilyn Edwards - Bellaire, TX
Robin Usher - Lincoln, NE
3 Grandchildren
2 Nieces
1 Nephew

Memorial may be given to Faith Lutheran Church, Mary Lanning Hospice or
Cedars, Home for Children
620 N. 48th, Ste 110
Lincoln, NE 68504-9901