tty Connell

Betty J. (Whitney) Connell, 75, of Kearney, owner of Grandpa's Steakhouse in Kearney, died Tuesday, Oct. 14th at the Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney. Funeral services will be 2:00 P.M., Monday, Oct. 20th at St. James Catholic Church in Kearney. The Rev. Charles Torpey will officiate. Interment will be in the Kearney Cemetery. Visitation will be 4-7 P.M., Sunday at the church with a prayer vigil at 7 PM. Memorials are suggested to Kearney Catholic High School Foundation-Bud and Betty Connell Scholarship Fund or American Cancer Society or the Kearney Volunteer Fire Department. O'Brien - Straatmann - Apfel Funeral Home of Kearney is in charge of arrangements.

She was born on Oct. 26, 1927 in Kearney to Wert D. and Mary (Cassidy) Whitney.

She attended Kearney Public Schools and was a 1945 graduate of Longfellow High School. She was married to Howard "Bud" Connell in Grand Island on May 1, 1948. She worked for Safeway District Offices. In 1952, she and her husband opened and operated Grandpa's Steakhouse until her death. Her husband died in 1993.

She was a member of the church, American Legion and VFW Aux., Nebraska Restaurant Association, Kearney Eagles and DOES. She was also was named in Who's Who of Nebraska, and an honorary member of K.V.F.D.

Survivors include son; Jim of Tucson, AZ, daughter; Elizabeth "Libby" Merrifield of Kearney, 2 grandchildren; Kristen and Keyton, brothers; Carl Whitney of Kearney and Edward Jones of Carlsbad, CA, sister; Ollie Dady of Kearney.

She was preceded in death by her husband, 3 brothers, 1 sister and 2 step-sisters