Neale Eldon Perrett was born in Hyannis, NE on July 30, 1931, to Walter and Frances (Gross) Perrett, the youngest of five children. He passed away on May 17, 2026, at the Cherry County Hospital in Valentine, NE.
Neale lived his first four years in the Hyannis area before moving onto the Joe and Harry Minor Ranch - between Hyannis and Merriman - where his father worked as a foreman for nine years. On May 10, 1945, Walter, Frances, and Neale moved southwest of Valentine to a ranch along the Niobrara River…a place he would call home for the next 79 years.
The move to Valentine was made so that Neale could attend high school, which was quite a change for a country boy. There, he excelled as an athlete, participating in boxing and football, while also being a member of the V-Club and Glee Club. One fun memory he shared was when Dick Shamis hit him so hard during football practice, he didn’t know if he would ever get up.
He was confirmed in the Episcopal Church on March 14, 1948, where he served for several years on the Vestry. Neale graduated from VHS in 1949.
In the fall of 1950, Neale was diagnosed with Polio and spent several months in the Lincoln General Hospital. At the same time, his sister-in-law was also hospitalized in the Children’s Hospital with Polio. It was such a difficult time, especially for young people, seeing patients admitted one day that were gone the next.
On November 24, 1951, Neale married Evelyn Breitkreutz. From this union was born Janeal, Joni, Gregg, and Brian. Neale later married Mary Ann Stoeger on February 19, 1968, with Beth and Seth Perrett completing the family.
Neale worked at Young’s Western Wear for Kurt and Cork Young. He traveled for Circle Y Saddlery of Yoakum, TX, selling western wear, boots, saddles, and tack for about 10 years. He then returned to ranch life, raising mostly Angus cattle and registered paint and quarter horses.
Neale was also a Master Mason and Past Master of the Minnechaduza Lodge #192, was an Order of the Easter Star member, and served on the board of directors for the Valentine Livestock Auction.
He is preceded in death by his parents; siblings, Fred, Royce, Illys, and Miriam; and a great-grandson, Basil Stoner.
He is survived by his wife Mary Ann; children Janeal Dominico, Joni Rodabaugh, Gregg (Solveig) Perrett, Brian (Michelle) Perrett, Beth (Randy) Stoner, and Seth (Becky) Perrett; 14 grandchildren; and numerous great-grandchildren.
Visitation was held for family at 3:00 p.m. and for the public at 4:00 p.m., Thursday, May 28, 2026, at Sandoz Chapel of the Pines. Funeral service was held on Friday, May 29, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at the Valentine Methodist Church. Burial followed at Mount Hope Cemetery in Valentine, NE. Memorials may be made to Cherry Hills Estates, Cherry County Hospital, or the donor’s choice.
Sandoz Chapel of the Pines was entrusted with the service arrangements.
