Muriel (Buethe) Epley

Muriel Epley was born to Henry Carl and Beatrice (Morris) Buethe on June 17, 1922 in Elk Creek. Muriel graduated from Elk Creek High School in 1941. She married Robert L. Epley of Elk Creek in 1943 and their union lasted 63 years.  They had two sons Robert L. Epley Jr. and Boyd Epley. The family moved to Phoenix in 1957. On the way all their belongings were in a U-haul trailer which caught on fire and burned. 

Bob put on roofs during the day in the hot sun in Phoenix and worked at a gas station at night while Muriel took in ironing to make ends meet. Bob and Muriel moved back to Omaha, Nebraska in 1967 where he ran his roofing company and she worked at Western Electric.  They taught their children to work hard until the job is done. They moved to Tecumseh in 1988 when she retired. They were always members of the Methodist Church and really enjoyed going to church in Tecumseh. Muriel was a lifetime member of the choir and was President of the Women’s Circle. She loved to sing and was proud to be part of the Red Hatters dance team.

Robert Jr. moved to Nebraska to care for Bob and Muriel the last several years. Robert Sr. passed away on September 10, 2006 at the age of 83. Muriel lived at home until 2014 but after several falls moved to the Premier Estates of Pawnee City, Nebraska. She enjoyed her sons and their families but she was especially attached to her dog Lucky who was by her side day and night until she moved to the Pawnee Manor.  She passed away there on Thursday, July 21, 2016 at the age of 94 years.

Muriel was preceded in death by her husband Robert, her parents, her sisters Lucille Mason and husband Chet, and Izma Seeba and husband Glen.  Muriel’s husband Robert had 12 brothers and 5 sisters and Muriel was the last living member of the 18 Epley children and spouses. Her son Robert Jr. passed away June 21, 2016.

Muriel is survived her son Boyd Epley (Jane) of Lincoln, grandchildren Jay Robert Epley of Michigan and Jenna Shea Epley (Chase) Beideck and great grandchildren Cash Beideck and Colt Beideck of Colorado, grandchildren Willie Epley (Wendy) of Florida, Kandy Jaffe (Jodi) of Arizona, great grandchildren Michelle and Chase, Robert L. Epley III and wife Amy of Arizona, great grandson Jake Epley and great-great grandchildren Adilyn Jade Epley and King Robert Epley. Muriel is also survived by her sister Joan Schatzle (Ernie) in addition to numerous nieces and nephews from both the Epley and Buethe families.

Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, July 28, 2016 at the United Methodist Church in Tecumseh, Nebraska with Rev. Rob Clark officiating.  Visitation will be at the Wherry Mortuary in Tecumseh, Nebraska, Wednesday, July 27, 2016 from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.  Interment will be in the Tecumseh Cemetery.  Memorials may go to the Nebraska Humane Society or the Tecumseh United Methodist Church.  Online condolence may be left @ www.wherrymortuary.com.

 Service Information