Bertha Lucile Banzhaf
Bertha Lucile (Harris) Banzhaf was received into the arms of Jesus and welcomed by the loving family gone before her on October 4, 2026.
She was born on January 14, 1937 to Claude and Lottie (Barnes) Harris in Haworth, OK, one of thirteen children.
She graduated from Idabel High School, Idabel, OK in 1955. She met her husband of 72 years, Darrel Banzhaf, on a blind date. They were married in Hugo, OK, on Aug 20, 1955.
After their marriage they lived in Cambridge, NE.
In 1975, they moved to a farm in rural McCook for four years before making their home in town. Four children were born into their loving home.
Lucile worked at TRW before going to work at Cambridge Memorial Hospital for seven years.
She worked at Alco Discount Store for seven years, and St. Catherine’s Hospital and Community Hospital of McCook for 18 years.
Lucile was a long-time member of the Evangelical Free Church, where she volunteered her time writing greeting cards for her church family.
She also volunteered for Home Health and Hospice for many years after her retirement.
After her daughter’s death in 1997, she made and donated hundreds of chemo turbans to the American Cancer Society and the cancer center where Linda was cared for before her passing.
She enjoyed weekly bible studies, gardening, sewing and reading.
She was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother, and touched the lives of everyone she met with her gentle spirit and warm smile.
Those who celebrate the life she lived are her husband of 72 years, Darrel Banzhaf of Mc-Cook; daughters, Kathy Banzhaf and special friend, Tom Bradbury, of Bellevue, Gloria Masoner and husband, Brad, of Ness City, KS; daughterin- law, Dorris Banzhaf of Lincoln; son-in-law, David Thompson of Denver, CO; brother, Stanley and wife, Susan Harris of Columbus, NC; sisters-in-law, Jo Harris of Roulette, TX, Barbara Harris of Yakima WA, and Gwen Harris of Broken Bow, OK; and brothers-in-law, Fred Bray of Broken Bow, OK and Harold (Charlene) Banzhaf of Indianola.
She leaves behind five grandchildren, Dustin Banzhaf, Shane (Rachel) Banzhaf, Jeremy Meyers, Jessica Cline (Caleb Stallsworth), and Lacey (Levi) Davis; and greatgrandchildren: Hunter, Wyatt, and Brycen Davis; Celeste Banzhaf; and Madison and Anna Meyers; and numerous nieces and nephews, life-long friends, and her church family.
Those waiting to welcome her home were her parents, Claude and Lottie Harris; son, Russell Banzhaf; daughter, Linda Banzhaf Thompson; brothers, Earl, Franklin, Hiram, Robert, William, “Pete” Willie B, David, Larry, and Robert; and sisters, Louise Fields, Doris Bray, and Maxine Goodwin.
Visitation with family present was held on Wednesday, October 14, 2026 from 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM at Herrmann-Jones Funeral Chapel in McCook.
Funeral services are scheduled for 2:00 PM (today) Thursday, October 15, 2026 at the McCook E-Free Church.
Burial in the Fairview Cemetery in Cambridge will follow services.
Memorials in Lucile’s name are suggested to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Online condolences may be left at herrmannfh.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to Herrmann-Jones Funeral Chapel of McCook.
