Eldon Richard Cawthra

Eldon Richard Cawthra, age 89, went to be with Jesus May 19, 2020 at his home in Cozad.  Eldon was born January 30, 1931 at his Grandpa & Grandma Nelson’s farm north of Max, NE.  He was born to Ralph S. and Joyce (Nelson) Cawthra and was the first living son of a first born Cawthra and the oldest of 4 children.

His family lived on a farm east of Orofino, NE.  When he started elementary school, he rode a horse to get there.  While he was in elementary school his parents moved to the house he was born in North West of Max, NE; where he lived until he went to high school.  Eldon went to Curtis, NE for all 4 years of high school and he was very proud of getting his high school diploma and attended many of his class reunions.  After high school he helped his dad farm.

He married Marlene Ann (Oakley) Cawthra on October 27, 1957.  It was a beautiful ceremony with weather to match as both families crowded into the Baptist church in Benkelman, NE.  Eldon & Marlene had 2 wonderful children that they loved dearly, followed by 4 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.  Eldon was a wonderful father, grandpa, great grandpa, mentor, and friend.

In 1961 he had an accident that made it impossible for him to do farm work for a while.  After he recovered though, he worked for several different farmers from Cambridge, Enders, to Elwood where he worked for Mr. Day who thought so much of Eldon that when he was done working for him the jobs started coming to him.  In 1966 Eldon and Marlene moved South of Cozad to work for a farmer there and eventually he went to work at Monroe Auto in 1969.  He worked at Monroe's for 24 years and retired from there in 1993.

Eldon enjoyed fishing, camping, square dancing, and visiting with family and friends, as well as going to church.  He also loved tinkering and grandma had a hard time keeping him from doing it right up till the end; but he was good at reusing, repurposing, and getting his money out of whatever he had.

What he loved the most though was spending time with his family and playing with his grand kids.

Eldon was survived by his wife of 63 years, Marlene Cawthra of Cozad; his son, Martin (Heather) Cawthra, his daughter, Deborah (Jesus B.) Vergara; 4 grand children, Liz (Brad) Fischer, Sabrina (Michael) Sauer, Tristan Cawthra and Johnathan Johnston; 4 great grandkids, Robert Lange, Samuel Lange, Amber Lange, and Morgan Fischer; his sister, Donna (Joe) Hawkins; brother, Bill (Cindy) Cawthra; his sister-in-law, Peggy Cawthra and many nieces and nephews. 

He was preceded in death by his parents; in laws; a brother in law and 2 brothers, Robert W. Cawthra and Jim Cawthra.

Memorials are suggested to the family in his name for later designation. Online condolences may be shared berrymanfuneralhome.com. Graveside services will be held Friday, May 22, 2020 at 12:00 p.m. MST at Benkelman Cemetery, Benkelman, Nebraska with Pastor Rod Heilbrun officiating. Visitation will be Thursday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Berryman Funeral Home.

Please practice safe Social Distancing during visitation and at the Cemetery, keeping 6ft from those that do not reside in the same home as you.