M. Carlene Andrew

Margaret Carlene (Meyer) Andrew was born June 24, 1931, in Lincoln, Nebraska. The only daughter of Margaret Mae (Gillitt) Meyer and Emil William Meyer, both from Elmwood, Nebraska, Carlene was adopted into the Meyer family from Whitehall Mansion Child Services at University Place in northeast Lincoln at the age of 2 months. Carlene’s new family included a brother, Richard, ten years her senior.

The family moved from Lincoln to Fairbury, Nebraska as Emil was transferred to a new sales territory by his employer Hinkle and Joyce. Carlene attended public school in Fairbury and learned to play the piano from a neighbor/piano instructor Charlotte Henne. Carlene’s mother, Margaret, also a talented pianist, played for silent movies at theaters while living in Lincoln.

Carlene loved sports as she was a cheerleader at Fairbury Senior High and Fairbury Junior College. While attending FJC, Fairbury Junior College, Carlene met Kenny Andrew, a transfer running back from Peru State College. Love was in the air as FJC’s head cheerleader and star running back got married August 20, 1950. After a whirlwind honeymoon at Yellowstone, Wyoming, they set up house in rural Nemaha, Nebraska.

At this time Carlene began giving instruction on the piano at age 19 and continued this endeavor until the age of 89. Carlene was the church organist for over 40 years and played the organ/piano for countless weddings and funerals. Carlene decided to complete her formal education with a teaching degree from Peru State College at age 45. She taught music for 18 years at the Nemaha Valley School System.

As Carlene’s health began to decline, she spent two years at The Landing Assisted Living in Lincoln, Nebraska and another year at Cedar Creek Memory Care also in Lincoln. It was there she passed away on Thursday, April 10, 2025.

Carlene was preceded in death by her husband Kenny, her brother Richard, and parents Margaret and Emil. She is survived by her four children, Richard Andrew (Jane) of Auburn, NE, Mark Andrew (Beth) of Lincoln, NE, Cindy O’Donnell (Michael) of Lincoln, NE, and Lisa Zwiers (Doug) of Broomfield, CO; many nieces and nephews, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

A funeral service will be held Friday, April 18, 10:30 a.m. at Hemmingsen Funeral Home in Auburn. Burial will follow in the Nemaha Cemetery at Nemaha.

Memorials are suggested to the Auburn Rescue Squad.