Eleanor "Elly" M. Whear

Eleanor “Elly” M. Whear, 87 of Jackson, NE passed away Friday, December 19, 2025 at her home surrounded by family. A funeral service will be 10:00 A.M. Saturday, December 27, 2025 at Mohr & Becker-Hunt Funeral Home. Visitation will begin at the funeral home at 9:00 A.M. Private family burial will be held at Memorial Park Cemetery at a later date.

Eleanor was born October 12, 1938 to Louis and Fern (Chapman) Knudsen in Jackson, Nebraska. She graduated from Jackson Public High School in 1956 and attended Wayne State Teacher’s College. She taught at Timber Country School, Dakota County, Jackson, Nebraska the 1956-1957 school year; worked with Northwestern Bell Telephone in Sioux City and Minneapolis, Minnesota from June 1957 through December 1959. She held various office positions from 1960 through 2006; last working as a Legal Secretary for over 40 years before retiring in 2006. She was a former member of the American Business Women’s Association in Sioux City and the National Legal Secretary’s Association in Omaha.

Eleanor married Duane H. Johnson on January 30, 1960. They were blessed with four children, Beverly, Donald, Dennis, and David. They later divorced. She moved to Omaha in January 1987 and returned to Jackson in September 1999.

Elly’s life centered around her family. Time spent with her grandchildren brought her great joy. She loved going to all of their games and activities and taking them to the Omaha Zoo in her younger years. She loved deer hunting with her brother, Bob and even shot a Bull Elk during a trip to Montana. She enjoyed going to auctions and Friday night fish fries with her sister, Boots. Elly also enjoyed spending time at the cabin and having all her family together. She always looked forward to the holidays, especially Thanksgiving and Christmas with her family at her home. She enjoyed listening to blue grass music and old time Country. Elly will be fondly remembered for her generous heart, her kind demeanor, her dedication and loyalty.

Eleanor is survived by her children, Beverly (Randy) Schultzen of Lawton, Iowa, Donald (Cherry Culver) Johnson of Jackson, David Johnson of Hubbard; daughters-in-law, Bobbi (Brent) Culbertson of Dakota City and DeeDee Johnson of Sioux City; sister, Boots Hall of Jackson; brother, Robert Knudsen of Hubbard; grandchildren, Cory Schultzen, Tina (Curtis Archer) Schultzen, Troy (Stephanie) Schultzen, Danielle (Gabe) Riley, Danny (Amanda) Johnson, Samantha Johnson, Shay Verzani, Sadi Johnson, and Dylan Johnson; 12 great grandchildren and 4 great great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents and son, Dennis Johnson.