Kermit Jeffery

Kermit Clare Jeffery, the son of Everett and Zula Jeffery was born on Feb. 13, 1931, at Northbranch, Kansas. He died on June 17, 2024, at Cherry Corner Estates in Red Cloud, Nebraska at the  age of 93. 

Kermit received his formal education from Union One Country School near Northbranch, and graduated from  Burr Oak High School in 1949.

On Nov. 25, 1951, he was united in marriage with his high school sweetheart, Loyce L. Lewis, at the Northbranch Friends Church. They made their home on the family farm near Northbranch and were blessed with four children: Mark, Juel, Jenelle and Jennifer.

Kermit was drafted into the US Army in 1952. After completing basic training he was sent to Schwabach, Germany, until his separation of service in January of 1954. Although it was a difficult time being separated from his family, Kermit was proud of his service.  In 2012, at the age of 81, Kermit's grandson, Gabriel Hughes, son-in-law, Randy Hughes, and brother-in-law, Bud Lewis accompanied him on a return visit to Schwabach, a place where his many stories originated and he spoke about often for the rest of his life.

After Kermit's military service, he returned to the farm where, alongside his brothers, he began his life career in farming, raising cattle, growing wheat and custom harvesting. "Going South" was a highlight for Kermit. The work was hard and the hours were long but the friendships and fun along the way made the time memorable and the stories legendary.

Kermit had a love for singing which was instilled in him and his brothers by their mom. After learning to sing parts, they formed a quartet along with John Dillon and they sang at various functions in the area into their later adulthood years.

Kermit was a lifelong member of the Northbranch Friends Church and his devotion to the Lord was a constant throughout his life. Kermit had many passions, a good family reunion, purchasing and riding a motorcycle at the age of 80, story telling to anyone that would listen, building a model replica of his childhood home but most of all his family. He loved his children, his 16 grandchildren and 29 great-grandchildren and he cherished all the memories of time together.

Preceding Kermit in death were his parents; his wife, Loyce; and three brothers and their wives, Lyle (Beth), Ardean (Marilyn) and Curtis (Marilyn).

Left to treasure his memory are his son, Mark and Sherri Jeffery, Northbranch, daughter, Juel and Randy Hughes, Royal, Nebraska, daughter, Jenelle Jeffery Estes Park, Colorado, daughter, Jennifer Woods and Jeff Clark, Overland Park, Kansas; grandchildren, Megan Hughes and family, Denver Colorado, Gabriel and Leigh Hughes and family, Paris, France, Ginny and Carlos Garzon and family, Neligh Nebraska, Ross and Carrie Jeffery and family, Superior, Nebraska, Elliott and Sarah Hughes and family, Royal, Nebraska, McKenzie and Tyler Petrie and family, Olathe, Kansas, Jaci and Evan Firner and family, Salina, Kansas, Drew Woods, Denver, Colorado, Cortney Jeffery and family, Salina, Kansas, Mallory and Kris Boucher, and family, Salina, Kansas, Taylor Heir, Overland Park, Kansas, Jessie Woods, Madison, Wisconsin, Connor Heir, Denver, Colorado, Grant Woods, Overland Park, Kansas, Dustin Boley, Kansas City, Missouri, and Kevin Boley, Lawrence, Kansas.

His funeral was at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, June 25, at the Northbranch Friends Church with Kelly McNichols officiating. Interment with military honors was at the Northbranch Cemetery.

Visitation with the family present was from 5 to 7 p.m., Monday, at the funeral home. and Tuesday, 8 a.m. to service time at the church.