Barbara “Bobbie” Ann Lesher of Valentine Nebraska died peacefully at Sandhill’s Care Center in Ainsworth Nebraska on Wednesday, November 12, 2025.
Bobbie was born in Grand Island, NE on June 10, 1928, to Bernie and Anne McGuire. She was welcomed home by her big sister Lois Leta.
Bobbie attended a country school near Brownlee, NE and graduated from Thomas County High School in Thedford in 1946.
Bobbie married Harvey Eugene, “Gene” Lesher in Seneca, NE on October 25, 1946. They were blessed with five sons, and then along came the apple of Mom’s eye, gleam of Dad’s eye, Mary Ann, their precious baby daughter.
Bobbie Ann was a dedicated mother and wife. Throughout the years she fed most of the neighbor kids and adults at one time or another as long as they showed up at the dinner table at 6:00 a.m., noon, and 6:00 p.m., sharp. She was a tomboy at heart but an excellent cook and the whole community appreciated her meals as long as they showed up on time.
She enjoyed serving on the Thedford High School Alumni committee for several years, organizing and hosting annual banquets and entertainment.
Bobbie was a faithful, dedicated member of the Catholic Church in Brownlee, NE where all six kids were baptized. When it closed, she attended the Catholic Church in Thedford until she and Gene moved to Valentine in 2002. Bobbie continued attending church in Valentine until her death. It was important to Bobbie to show respect for her neighbors, family and friends, seldom missing a funeral or memorial service throughout the Sandhills region.
Raising six children on the family’s ranch left Bobbie little extra time for hobbies. Her time was dedicated to keeping her kids from killing each other! Bobbie and Gene loved dancing together and were often seen dancing, or rather gliding on air, on dance floors all around the Sandhills. When they gathered with friends and family, a friendly game of 10 point pitch was sure to happen.
Bobbie was preceded in death by parents Bernie and Anne McGuire; husband, Gene; a stillborn infant son; adult sons Tom, Jim; daughter in law Gerri Lesher, Bernard; and her older sister Lois Leta Ogle.
Survivors include: sons Dick (Roberta), Ronnie, and daughter Mary Ann Bostock (Glenn); daughter in law, Deb; grandchildren, Wade Lesher, Lane Lesher, Jodi Hendrickson (Andy), Christi (Shane) Bastian, Becky Lesher, Jason Lesher, Stacy Lesher, Cami Lesher, Aaron Lesher, and Chase Lesher. Also surviving are numerous great grandchildren and a sister-in-law, June Lesher.
A rosary for Bobbie was held at St. Nicholas Catholic Church on Thursday, November 20 at 7:00 p.m., CST. The funeral was held on Friday, November 2t at 10:30 a.m., CST. A light lunch was served following the funeral. The burial followed at Hillcrest Cemetery in Thedford, NE at 2:00 p.m., CST. Following the burial, coffee and desserts was served at the Catholic Church Parish Hall in Thedford.
Sandoz Chapel of the Pines in Valentine was entrusted with service arrangements.
