Constance R. Gammill Archer, 79, of Wayne, formerly of Kearney, died Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020 at Wayne Countryview Care in Wayne.
Public memorial services, with the wearing of masks required, will be Friday, Dec. 11 at 2 p.m. at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Wayne. Public memorial visitation will be held from noon to 2 p.m. at the church. The wearing of masks is required. Burial will be at a later date at Hyannis Cemetery in Hyannis.
Memorials may be directed to the family for later designation.
Arrangements are with Hasemann Funeral Home in Wayne.
Constance Rae (Gammill) Archer was born Aug. 11, 1941 in Hyannis to W. Sam and Ada (Schufeldt) Gammill. Connie's childhood was filled with all the adventures the Nebraska panhandle had to offer. During the summer months, she, her brothers, and many cousins enjoyed life on the ranch; sneaking tastes of freshly churned butter, building a playhouse complete with curtains, and sharing yummy baked treats. Connie loved telling stories of the many adventures she had growing up with her cousins. During her teen years, Connie and her family moved to Kearney, where she graduated from Kearney High School in 1959. Her stories of volunteering as a Candy Stripper, being a baton twirler, working as a carhop, roller skating competitions, and dancing at the Youth Center are among the family’s favorites.
Shortly after high school, Connie entered nursing school at Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney, where she worked toward her LPN. On May 28, 1960 she married her high school sweetheart, Bruce B. Archer, and began married life. Shortly after their first child, Becky, was born, Connie and Bruce moved out west to San Francisco, California, where Bruce completed Mortuary College. Years later, after three additional children, Danny, Janice, and Vicki joined the family; life circumstances drew the young Archer clan back to Nebraska.
In addition to raising her family and nursing, Connie loved camping, fishing, crafts, helping others, and winning at Yahtzee, Scrabble, and cards. Once retired, she thoroughly enjoyed attending her grandchildren and great-grandchildren’s many diverse activities and school events. Thinking of Connie is impossible without considering her deep love of family, compassionate soul, creative spirit, and humble heart. Most importantly, Connie's family will always remember her love for the holidays; sharing the story of the Nativity, the joy of baking with “her girls”, wrapping presents, singing carols, and spreading joy.
Survivors include her former brother-in-law, Wayne Archer (wife Gayle) of Hastings; four children, Becky Archer of Kearney, Dan Archer (wife Tracie) of Elkhorn, Janice Wergin (husband Barry) of Kemmerer, Wyoming, and Vicki Kniesche (husband Vince) of Wayne; nine grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her former husband, Bruce; brothers, Don and Gary, sister-in-law, Anne (Kyne) Gammill, parents and grandparents.
