BONITA M. STURGIS AND EVERT L. STURGIS
A Joint Celebration of Life Memorial Service for Bonita M. Sturgis and Funeral Service for Evert L. Sturgis was held on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. at the Holdrege Methodist Church, Holdrege, NE, with Pastor Rhonda Wulf officiating. Inurnment and Interment followed at the Prairie Home Cemetery, at Holdrege.
Military Honors for Evert will be provided by the United States Army National Guard Funeral Honors Team and the Martin-Horn American Legion Post #66 of Holdrege.
Bonita M. Sturgis, 87 years of age, of Holdrege, (formerly of Axtell, NE), passed away Sunday, November 23, 2025, at Holdrege Memorial Homes. In her final days, she was surrounded by family and never let go of her husband of 68 years’ hand before going to meet her Savior.
Evert Lee Sturgis, 88 years of age, of Holdrege, (formerly of Axtell, Nebraska), passed away Wednesday, January 21, 2026, at Holdrege Memorial Homes. In his final days, he was surrounded by his family.
Evert was born on June 13, 1937, in Holdrege, the third of five children, born to Lewis Benjamin “L.B.” or “Bill” and Florence Elizabeth (Johnson) Sturgis. He attended and graduated from Holdrege Public Schools. Following his education, Evert was inducted into the United States Army at Omaha, NE, on September 5, 1956. He was honorably discharged from Fort Bliss, TX, and then served in the reserved capacity.
While working as a telephone operator, Bonita met the love of her life, Evert. On December 26, 1956, they were united in marriage at the Methodist Church in Holdrege, and to this union, they were blessed with five children: Julie, Karen, Jill, Jimmy “Koke”, and Kristi. The family made their home in Loomis, NE, and later moved to Axtell.
Evert worked as a Mechanic, and owned and operated service stations, the Standard Station and later, the Conoco Station. Later the couple began working at Becton-Dickinson.
They retired together in 1998 from BD.
Evert was a member of the Atlanta United Methodist Church, the Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks, serving as the Exalted Ruler for two terms, and the Shriners International for many, many years. Evert enjoyed car racing, Shriner Clown traveling to many parades, hospitals, and attending as many as the grandchildren’s activities as possible.
In 2024, Bonita and Evert moved into Holdrege Memorial Homes, where they enjoyed spending time with each other, their friends, and, of course, constant visits from kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids.
He was preceded in death by his parents; parents-in-law; his grandson, Parker Sturgis; his siblings: Dorothy Peterson and husband, Duane; and Dean Sturgis; a nephew, Robert “Bob” Peterson; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Richard David and his wives, Betty and Mary Lou; Ronald David and his wife, Lois; Dwayne David; Paul David; Roger David; and Peggy Piepenbrock; John Schell; Randy Luttrell; Loretta Sturgis; and Linda Sturgis.
He leaves to celebrate his life, his children: Julie Hill (Bruce Schescke) of Oxford, NE; Karen Hanson (Doug Hanson) of Axtell; Jill Silver (Bob) of Funk, NE; Koke Sturgis (Wanda) of Wilcox, NE; and Kristi Massey of Alda, NE; ten grandchildren: Wynnie Hill (Brandon Gregory) of Holdrege; Desiree Hill (Scott Hamilton) of Oxford, NE; Sturgis Hanson (Brianna) of Axtell; Andrea Silver of Lincoln, NE; Benjamin Silver of Funk; Kylie Massman (Ryan) of Windsor, CO; Dakota Massey (Kenzie Thurman) of Hastings, NE; Cheyenne Diedrich (Logan) of Hot Springs, AR; and Sierra Massey of Alda; ten greatgrandchildren: Willa and Rhydian Lincoln; Evee and Louie Silver; Crosby and Carter Massman; Jeremiah Massey; Saige Massey; Gracelyn and Dunham Diedrich; and Myra Hanson; brothers: Dale Sturgis of Holdrege; and Chuck Sturgis of Holdrege; brothers-inlaw and sisters-in-law: Marge Sturgis of Newcastle, WY, Elaine Schell of Holdrege; Johnnie David and his wife, Harriet of Longmont, CO; Mary Johnson and her husband, Ed of Alma, MO; Larry David and his wife, Cindy of Stromsburg, NE; Retha Jo Luttrell of Lakewood, CO; and Mike David and his wife, Trish of Holdrege; Donna David of Newark, OH; Pat David of Russell, KS; Jane David of Kearney; and Eric Piepenbrock of Phoenix, AZ; and an endless list of nieces, nephews, cousins, neighbors, and friends who will miss them dearly.
A Visitation and Memorial Book Signing for Evert and Bonita was held on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege, with the family greeting from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
In Lieu of Flowers, memorials are strongly suggested and encouraged to: Shriners International, Holdrege Memorial Homes, the Atlanta Methodist Church, or to the family for future designation.
Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at HYPERLINK “http://www.nelsonbauerfh. com”www.
nelsonbauerfh.com The Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege is in charge of the arrangements.
