Aletha Maye Bryan Wood

of Lincoln, Nebraska formerly of Quinn, died on Tuesday, May 1, 2018
at the Legacy Retirement Community in Lincoln at the age of 95

Aletha Maye Bryan Wood was born October 31, 1922, in Bloomfield, NE, to Howard and Mary (Eckmann) Bryan. In March of 1929, Howard and Mary moved Aletha and her three older siblings, sister Allegra and brothers George and Jesse, to a farm 12 miles northwest of Wall, SD. Aletha then began her school years at the rural Cedar Butte School. Although she sometimes rode horseback, she usually walked the three miles to school. Six years later, when Aletha was in sixth grade, the family moved one and a half miles west of Wall and Aletha began attending school in Wall. She graduated from Wall High School in 1941, where she was a majorette and a cheerleader.

While in high school, Aletha met Kenneth Clark Wood, who graduated from Quinn High School in Quinn, SD, in 1941. They were married on December 5, 1942, in Rapid City, SD. Kennie served in the US Navy for six years during World War II, during which time the couple and their oldest daughter spent several years living in New York City and Boston, MA. They added three more children to their family and soon made their home on the Waldon Wood family ranch northwest of Quinn where Mike and Anita Heathershaw now live. In November of 1976, they moved to Lexington, NE, and then moved to Kearney, NE, in October of 2008. Kennie passed away April 2, 2012; Aletha moved to the Legacy in Lincoln, NE, in January of 2017.

Aletha is loved, missed and treasured by her children: Jonny Creighton Winn-Holsether (Bonnie Jean) and her husband Chuck of Wall; Shirley Thomlison Huss and her husband Ron of Lincoln, NE; and Carol Schaffer Walker and her husband Steve of Cozad, NE. Aletha cherished and adored her grandchildren and great grandchildren, they were her ultimate gift: Fr. Steven Thomlison of Exeter, NE; Shelly Thomlison White, her husband Zach and their children Keenan and Paige, of Rapid City, SD; Stacy Thomlison of Lincoln, NE; and Sarah Thomlison Akinyemi, her husband Yinka and their children Sayo, Modi and Sade, of Lincoln, NE. She also leaves nieces, nephews and other family and friends who will fondly treasure their memories of her.

Aletha was preceded in death by her husband, Kennie; a son, Wesley Bryan Wood; her parents and sister and brothers.

Aletha always had a smile and a joyful greeting for her family and friends. She had a special love for horses, cowboy boots and the western way of life, homemade ice cream, buffalo berry pie, the color pink and playing Hand and Foot, although not necessarily in that order. She was an expert seamstress, loved to knit, do leather tooling and excelled at everything she tried. Aletha cut her hair very short years before any other woman dared to and when she had a rotisserie installed in her new home, it always tickled her when people would drive out to the ranch just to see it. She hosted many family holiday dinners, where you could always be certain to enjoy her beloved homemade ice cream and the best pie crust ever made! At 95 years of age, she was an avid caller on her cell phone and still remained active on her home computer.

We love you, we miss you. You are always in our hearts.

Cards and memorials may be sent c/o Jonny Winn-Holsether, P.O. Box 12, Wall, SD 57790.

A visitation will be held one hour prior to the funeral service

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, May 4, at the United Methodist Church in Wall with Gale Patterson officiating.

Interment will be at the Wall Cemetery.

Service Details

FUNERAL SERVICE
Friday, May 4, 2018 - 10:00 a.m.
United Methodist Church
Wall, South Dakota

OFFICIATING
Gale Patterson

MUSIC
Sarah Thomlison Akinyemi - Guitarist
“Continue To Love Me”
Special Music
“Amazing Grace”
“Thank You (Mom’s Song)”

EULOGY
Stacy Thomlison

USHERS
Jerry Johannessen - Tyler Trask

PALLBEARERS
Casey Trask - Craig Bryan
Mike Heathershaw - Todd Trask - Tony Hay
Steve McDonnell - Garrett Bryan - Gallyn Wolf

HONORARY PALLBEARERS
Ron Dawson - John Chappell
George Bryan - Jesse Bryan - Clarence Dawson

INTERMENT
Wall Cemetery
Wall, South Dakota

Guest Book

My prayers are with you all. Aletha and Kenny are such a part of my childhood memories. They were always so nice to me and very special people. I am sure there are a few stories being told in heaven with Aunt Rose and Uncle Tom and the rest of their friends. Our sympathy to the family.
~ Lea Willuweit Ymker Armour SD (5/5/2018)

To all the Woods family, sorry to hear of your loss. Will always remember you as a great neighbors and friends. Our prayers are with all the family.
~ Kari and Kendall Kjerstad Grand Junction CO (5/2/2018)

The Woods Family Sorry to hear of your mother's death. She was a very nice lady to visit with when she was around her family and friends. I can still remember the times our families visited when all us were growing and attending school in Wall. I will always the fun times that Wes and I had in school. God Bless each of you his richest blessings. Rest in peace my friend.
~ Van & Cathy Simpfenderfer Wall, SD (5/1/2018)