Nona E. Hood

Nona Elizabeth (Phifer) Hood passed away Wednesday, March 26, 2025 at Emerald Care Nursing at the age of 94. Nona was born February 14, 1931, second child to Lyle and Prudence Phifer in Long Pine Nebraska. The family moved to Arnold NE where she attended public school until graduation. After graduating she moved to Cozad and worked various jobs in and around town.

During the blizzard of ’46 she met Leonard Hood while he was near Arnold pushing snow with his heavy equipment. They later married January 28, 1953 and were blessed with a daughter, Cindy. Leonard brought several children into the marriage and Nona loved them as her own.

Nona and Leonard worked side by side running their land leveling business “L. Hood Construction”. They also raised cattle and farmed at their home near Cozad. She logged many miles driving semi-truck hauling cattle for Roland Hood & Sons. She loved working at the Gothenburg Sale Barn where she helped for over 30 years. Nona ran a successful Fruit Stand for many years along with numerous other jobs including Alco, D&S Crafts, Evans Bakery and others.

If Nona wasn’t working, she was busy volunteering. Both Leonard and Nona were founding members of the Cozad Elks Club and she was an active member of the Elks Does from start to finish. She was a long-time member of the Eastern Star, Cozad Lions Club, American Red Cross, Heartland Shares, Cozad Grand Generation Center, delivered Meals on Wheels, called hours of Bingo and never turned down a request from anyone who asked for help. Her family always felt her love and support and she was always in attendance at their birthdays, weddings, cookouts, or just a Saturday night card party.

She loved and cared for all animals, and kept many on the farm, but sheep and cats were her favorite. Many a neighbor saw her “flock” following her around the yard mowing the grass and taming weeds. She loved to play cards, put together puzzles, watch old westerns, play and/or call Bingo, and drop in or host coffee with friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Leonard; brother Gene and his wife Rae.

Survivors include daughter Cindy Messersmith, son Roger (Paula) Hood, grandkids Levi (Bobbie Jo) Messersmith, Jamie (Bill Mach) Messersmith, Ashley (Jordan) Curtice, Kerri (Steve) Kraft, Greg (Michelle) Hood, Dirk (Melissa) Hood, Beth Burton, nieces and nephews, great-grand kids, and many life-long friends.

Memorials are suggested to the family for later designation. Cremation was chosen, services will be private. Berryman Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements.