Mrs. Laura May (Hutcheson) Alderman

Laura May (Hutcheson) Alderman, 89, passed away on December 16, 2016 at the Parkside Manor in Stuart, Nebraska. She was born on January 9, 1927 in Newport, Nebraska, the seventh child of Leslie "Shorty" and Sadie (Moss) Hutcheson of Long Pine, Nebraska. Laura married Lloyd James "Sunny" Alderman on June 15, 1948 in Gering, Nebraska. Laura and Lloyd found they had an unusual common connection. During their engagement their mothers learned that Lloyd and Laura had been born in the same house, same room just outside of Newport on a little farm and both had been delivered by the same doctor.
Laura graduated from Rock County High School in Bassett, Nebraska. Following graduation she taught in country school in Rock County. Later she was Dr. Harold Panzer's receptionist and he taught Laura to assist him as a nurse in his office practice at the old Rock County Hospital.
Soon after their marriage Lloyd and Laura owned and operated Alderman's Market in Newport. Later they moved to Long Pine and then to Chadron, Nebraska where Lloyd was an engineer for the Chicago Northwestern Railroad. In 1970 Lloyd became a boilermaker with Combustion Engineering an international company specializing in the manufacturing and erection of power generating stations. This took the family to several states including Wyoming, Colorado, Arizona, Kansas, North Dakota, Oregon and Montana. There was a brief period from 1972 to 1974 when they owned and operated Alderman's Thriftway grocery store in Rifle, Colorado.
In 1983 Lloyd and Laura retired to Newport. Following "retirement" they were active volunteers in civic duties. Lloyd served as Newport mayor for 16 years, from 1986 until 2002, and Rock County Commissioner from 1993 until 2001. They were members of the Newport Action Group and were instrumental in obtaining two Nebraska Economic Development Block Grants to make improvements in the small community of Newport. Laura was also active in the Rock County Historical Society serving as president for several years. She and her fellow society members obtained the old Rock County High School, turning it into a museum, and added several historical buildings to the Rock County Fair Grounds in Bassett. In 1997 Lloyd and Laura built Sunny's Convenience Store & Truck Stop in Newport and operated it until 2003.
Laura was preceded in death by her parents and her four brothers: Harold Leo, David William, Leslie Wayne and Donald Faye Hutcheson; three sisters: Dorothy LeZotte, Pearl Galarneau and Marjorie Lascek. She is survived by the love of her life, Lloyd, and their seven children: Cherri Jann (Robert Jr.) Reichenberg of Jefferson, Oregon, James Michael Alderman of Newport, Nebraska, Vange Lynn (Keith Jorgenson) Alderman of Seaside, Oregon, Chadd Pattric (Jeanne) Alderman of Fults, Illinois, Vance Rodderic Alderman of Lincoln, Nebraska, Jonn Christopher Alderman of Newport, Nebraska and Robert (Sheryl) Alderman of Lincoln, Nebraska; her 16 grandchildren: Flyne (Andrew Clark) Anderson of Truckee, California, Zachary Lockwood of Seaside, Oregon, Shyanne Blad of Cedar City, Utah, Zane Alderman of Fults, Illinois, Shannon Sivongsa of Murray, Utah, Andrea Alderman of Hampton, Georgia, Sausha Alderman of Fults, Illinois, Chelsey Alderman of Red Bud, Illinois, Brennan Alderman of Ruma, Illinois, Ashley Happold of Ainsworth, Nebraska, Adam Alderman of Lincoln, Nebraska, Bruce (Rebecca) Rowley of Lincoln, Nebraska, Kyra Alderman of Billings, Montana, Scott (Dawn) Rowley of Branson, Missouri, Brandon (Acacia) Rowley of Waverly, Nebraska, and Brooke Alderman of Billings, Montana; 16 great-grandchildren; her youngest sister, Norma Jean (Bill) Thayer of Corvallis, Oregon and numerous nieces, nephews and their families.
Laura wrote poetry, painted and collected antiques. She also loved genealogy, researching and writing the history of Newport, Rock County, and the Hutcheson and Alderman families. Much of it was printed in the Rocky County Centennial book. She believed in helping the needy and was active in all the communities in which she lived.
Funeral services were held on December 21, 2016 at Hoch Funeral Home in Ainsworth, Nebraska with Pastor Wayne Owens officiating the service. Faye Smith provided the music along with special instrumental selections of "In the Garden" and "Old Rugged Cross." Pallbearers were, James M. Alderman, Jonn C. Alderman, Robert R. Alderman, Adam M. Alderman, Bruce L. Rowley, and Brandon J. Rowley. Honorary bearers were Chadd P. Alderman, V. Rodderic Alderman, Zane P. Alderman, Scott W. Rowley, Zachary N. Lockwood, and Brennan C. Alderman. Burial followed at the Newport Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the family in her name.