Elaine J. Garrison

Elaine ""Gary""� Garrison, age 82, former longtime resident of Lincoln, passed away Tuesday, January 15, 2013 at the Golden Living Care Center in Cozad. Elaine was born May 22, 1930, at Curtis, Nebraska to Russell Dell and Vida Faye (Miller) Garrison. She attended Lincoln High School, where she graduated in 1948. After graduation, Elaine entered the Bryan School of Nursing in Lincoln and graduated in 1951. Elaine excelled through the nursing school; she went on to obtain a Bachelor""s degree from Nebraska Wesleyan University in 1961 and Master""s Degree at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln in 1978. Her career in nursing spanned for 40 years; many of those years were spent educating student nurses at the Bryan Hospital School of Nursing. She held many positions in the school during her tenure. At the time of her retirement in 1991, she had worked her way up to being the Director of the School of Nursing. Throughout Elaine""s lengthy career, she had the opportunity to train and befriend many good people for the profession, some of whom became lifelong friends. She was proud to have served for four years on the State Board of Nursing as well as many other nursing organizations. To Elaine, taking care of people in need was a calling. Nursing was second nature to her, as her mother served as a nurse before her. Even during the four years she spent at the Golden Living Center, Elaine assisted many residents and would offer advice to the nurses. She was described by staff as having a sweet spirit. When the stresses of work necessitated an outlet, she enjoyed camping, fishing and spending time with friends and her beloved black poodles, Missy and Nicki. Elaine was preceded in death by her parents and grandparents. Survivors include her 3 cousins; Don Miller of Spearfish, SD, George Miller of Piedmont, SD and Betty Goff of Dayton, WA and her 2 best friends; Phyllis Bovee of Cozad and Phylis Hollamon Berg of Martell, Nebraska; along with the countless people whose lives she touched throughout her career as a nurse and educator. Memorials are suggested to the Bryan Foundation designated to the Elaine Garrison scholarship, 1600 S 48th Street, Lincoln, Nebraska, 68506. A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, January 23, 2013 at 1:00 pm at Roper & Son""s Funeral Home, 4300 O Street, Lincoln, Nebraska with Pastor Darrel Berg officiating. A private inurnment will be in the Lincoln Memorial Park at a later date. Berryman Funeral Home in Cozad and Roper & Son""s Funeral Home in Lincoln are in charge of arrangements.