Gayle M. Cooksley

Gayle M. Cooksley, age 86, of Elwood, Nebraska passed away on Thursday, February 9, 2017 at Phelps Memorial Hospital, in Holdrege, Nebraska. She was born on December 11, 1930 at Grand Island, Nebraska to Paul J. and Beulah (Van Horn) Michaud. The family moved to Lincoln, Nebraska where Gayle spent her school years. She helped with family paper routes and worked at Bryan Hospital during those years. She graduated for Lincoln High School and attended the University of Nebraska at Lincoln for one year. Gayle married Roland Cooksley on August 4, 1951, to this union two sons were born Michael and Steve. After a few years living in David City and Broken Bow, Nebraska they moved to Elwood and have lived there for 60 years. Shortly after moving, she became the Gosper County Avon representative. She had a successful business until her retirement in 1996. During that time she received many sales awards. She enjoyed participating in several local organizations and social groups. She was a lifelong member of the United Methodist Church. They enjoyed traveling to several foreign countries and nearly every state in the United States. Gayle was preceded in death by her parents, son Michael, father and mother-in-law John and Thelma Cooksley, infant brother Holt, brothers Paul & wife Myra, Rollin & wife Elaine, Daryl & wife Judy. Gayle is survived by her husband Roland Cooksley of Elwood, Nebraska Son: Steven and wife Diane Cooksley of Elwood, Nebraska Grandchildren: Trent Cooksley (Maria), Kelly Cooksley (Katy), Sydney Winter (Trenton), Taylor Spiegel (Ben) and 5 Great-Grandchildren Sister: Jane Clegg and husband Max Brother-in-law: Norman and wife Jan Sisters-In-Law: Donitta Wiles and husband Don, Myra Michaud, Elaine Michaud And numerous nieces and nephews Condolences or personal reflections can be left at elwoodfuneralhome.com Visitation will be Saturday, February 18, 2017 from 2 PM till 4 PM at Elwood Funeral Home, Elwood, Nebraska. There will be no services. Inurnment will be at Lincoln Memorial Park Cemetery at a later date. Memorials are suggested to Children’s Hospital and Trach Chairs for Veterans. Elwood Funeral Home of Elwood, Nebraska is in charge of arrangements.