Neal Ardell Werts

Funeral services for Neal Ardell Werts, 74, are scheduled for 11:00 A.M. Wednesday, June 17, 2009 at Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer, Cushing, OK with Reverend David Helmer officiating. Burial will be held Thursday in Beaver Crossing, Nebraska. Family will receive friends from 6:00 8:00 P.M. Tuesday, June 16, 2009 at Palmer Marler Funeral Home 5106 N. Washington, Stillwater. Services are under the direction of Palmer Marler Funeral Home, Stillwater.
Mr. Werts was born May 27, 1935, in Imperial, Neb., to Robert and Mary (Mather) Werts. He grew up working in the fields and riding a horse to a one-room school (uphill both ways in a blizzard, he liked to say). He served two years in the Army. He married Patricia Hallquist on Sept. 24, 1955. Over the years, they lived in Arizona, Missouri, Nebraska and Oklahoma. Neal worked as a Conoco station manager, as a professional horse trainer and as quality assurance manager at Carol Wright Co. in Lincoln, Neb., among other endeavors. He served on the school board in Grain Valley, Mo. He and his beloved wife raised and showed Morgan horses for many years. He often referred to himself as Pat's barn slave because of his stable duties. In retirement, he focused on his children and grandchildren and on his herd of bison. He also treasured the times he spent with old friends and the cousins with whom he grew up in Imperial. Neal passed away June 13, 2009 at home in rural Stillwater.
He is preceded in death by a son, Dean; a granddaughter, Jamie; a brother, Loren; and his parents.
He is survived by his wife; daughter Marcia and husband Ken Hobart of Wichita; sons Mark and wife Tami of Hillsboro, Mo., and Dale and wife Sally of Ridgely, Mo. He also is survived by five grandchildren: Jason, Justin, Matthew, Noah and Katie.
Memorial contributions may be made to the building fund at Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer, 730 E. Cherry St., Cushing.
Condolences may be sent using our online guestbook at www.pmcfh.com