Elizabeth Ann "Bette" Pelican

Elizabeth Ann (Hamouz) Pelican, only child of Adolf “Buster” and Mary “Louise” Rupple Hamouz, was born March 23, 1945 in Friend, Nebraska. She was baptized and confirmed in the United Methodist Church in Tobias, Nebraska and attended school in Tobias, graduating from high school in 1963.

Bette, as she was known for most of her life, was united in marriage to Franklin Pelican on October 5, 1963 at the Tobias Methodist Church. They made their home in Lincoln, Nebraska after their wedding, and would be blessed with four children: Sandie, Beckie, Tammy, and Scott.

Bette had worked at the Martel Bank before going to work at Gateway Bank in Lincoln in 1963. She worked there until 1983, when she and Frank purchased the locker in Johnson, Nebraska and moved there. They operated the business as Pelican’s Meat Processing and were joined by two of their children.

A lifetime member of the United Methodist Church, Bette joined the Johnson Methodist Church upon moving to town. She was always very involved in the church, including teaching Sunday School. Bette belonged to the Nebraska Association of Meat Processors and the Johnson Chamber of Commerce. She loved following her children and grandchildren in their school functions and other activities.

Suffering from deteriorating health issues, Bette entered Bryan West Medical Center in Lincoln in late July 2018. It was there she passed away, at the age of 73 years, 4 months, and 9 days. She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers-in-law Richard Zoubek and Ron Horak, and son-in-law Greg LaVigne.

Bette will be forever missed by her husband Frank “Butch” Pelican of Johnson; children Sandie LaVigne and special friend Rich Wolken of Johnson; Beckie and husband Mike Davison of Tecumseh; Tammy and husband Mike Kelch of Syracuse; Scott and wife Kristi Pelican of Johnson; grandchildren Cole and Sydney LaVigne, Taylor and Nate Skwarek, Laynee Davison, Chelsey and Casey Clifton, Gavin and Braxton Kelch, Sloan and Daley Pelican; great-grandchildren Avry, Aria, Kiearya, Charlie, Kyler, and Kinzlie; sisters-in-law Norma Horak, Betty Ann Zoubek; other relatives and many friends.

A memorial service was held Saturday, August 4, 2018 at Hemmingsen Funeral Home in Auburn, with Rev. Nick Baker officiating. Lori Broady was accompanist for singing by those in attendance. Urn bearers were Mark Gravatt, Dale Ottemann, Duane Caspers, Max Hasselbring, Terry Wagner, Gary Bray, Jim Rasmussen, and Lanny Goering. Honorary bearers were the grandchildren. Burial of ashes was in the Johnson Cemetery at Johnson.