Mr. Harry F. Sawle

October 29, 1934 - July 6, 2015

Harry F. Sawle was born on October 29, 1934, to Leslie and Rita (Johnson) Sawle on the Sawle homesite seven miles northeast of Ainsworth, Nebraska, and passed away on July 6, 2015 at the Golden Living Center in O'Neill, Nebraska. He was the youngest of three children, with two older sisters. He went to grade school at District #11 country school, and graduated from Ainsworth High School in 1952. Harry married Verta Bartlett on August 8, 1955 at the Long Pine Methodist Church in Long Pine, Nebraska. To this union three girls were born, Peggy Lynn, Teri Ann, and Cheri Kay. Harry owned and operated his own plumbing business, (after interning with George Whitney, in his own plumbing business.) Verta was his bookkeeper and secretary (and the girls helped too.) Harry retired from the plumbing business after 35 years, in 1999, due to health reasons. Harry and Verta played in their own band called the Country Trails for 26 years. Harry liked to work on his old engines and to go to engine shows in the summer. Harry and Verta also did Flea Markets and garage sales. He always had a little bit of "something" for everyone. He liked to work on his birdhouses for the Martins and fed them eggshells as well as watched their baby birds come and go. He tinkered on many engines and tractors, and was always working in his shop repairing "something." Harry and Verta always had a big garden. Verta passed away in September of 2011. Harry enjoyed going to the Senior Center for lunch everyday, socializing and playing cards. He was quite the jokester, always telling jokes, (some nice and some not so appropriate.) He liked to go fishing and hunting. Harry was a member of the Ainworth United Methodist Church for 54 years, a long time member of the ELKS #1790, a member of the Masonic Silver Cord Lodge #224 for 59 years, and a member of the Bethany Chapter #113 Order of Eastern Star. Harry was preceded in death by his beloved wife Verta, his parents, Leslie and Rita Sawle, Sister, Doris Marsh. Sisters-in-law, Marcella Bartlett; Brothers-in-law, Glen and Victor Bartlett, Clayton Sharp, Kenneth Densberger, Milolee and Vonald Bartlett. He is survived by his daughters, Peggy (John) Gross, Johnstown, Nebraska, Teri (Dan) Daniels, Ainsworth, Cheri (Ted) Gude, Hawarden, Iowa. Nine grandchildren, Sheena Luebbe, North Platte, Nebraska, Kelsei Gross, Kilgore, Nebraska, Keanna Gross, Centralia, Washington, Taylor (Chelsey) Gross-Clovis, New Mexico, Christopher (Jessica) Frederickson, and Jennifer (Vance) Denny, of Ankeny, Iowa, Ryan (Jamie) Gude, and Matt Gude, of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Cody (Stacy) Goochey, Ainsworth. Eight Great-grandchildren, Ben, Beth, and Keagan Frederickson, and Kole Denny, all of Ankeny, Iowa, and Brody Denny, Madelyn, Cameryn and Preslyn Goochey, all of Ainsworth; Sister, Ardeth (Sawle) Coleman, Columbus, Nebraska. Sisters-in-law, Vada (Dave) Haumann, Vivian Sharp, Vernal Densberger, Helen and Norma Bartlett; Brothers-in-law, Dean (Emily) Bartlett, Denny (Marie) Bartlett, and Loice (Mary) Bartlett. Along with special family friend, Bonnie Wolfe (and family), and numerous other nieces, nephews and cousins. Funeral Services were held on July 10, 2015 at the United Methodist Church in Ainsworth, Nebraska with Pastor Eldon Davis officiating the service. Music was provided by Bob and Duane Keim with special musical selections of "How Great Thou Art" and "He Touched Me." "Old Rugged Cross" and "Love Lifted Me" were presented by Joe McBride. The CD selection of "Walk of Life" by Dire Straits was also provided. Masonic Rites were presented by the Silver Cord Lodge #224 AF & AM. Pallbearers were, Gary Wolfe, Jim Scholtes, Eddy Daniels, Bryan Muphy, Mike Hitchcock and Fred Hagen. Honorary bearers were, Duane Lovegrove, Luke Scholtes, Vail Boller, Rich Jones, Richard Goochey, and all Engine Show and Flea Market friends. Burial was held at the Ainsworth Cemetery under the direction of Hoch Funeral Home of Ainsworth. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the United Methodist Church or to the Silver Cord Masonic Lodge #224 AF & AM in Harry's name.