Nedra Arlene Probasco was born was born May 10, 1937 in Wray, CO to Verlyn and Edna (New) Probasco. Nedra grew up north of Eckley, CO where she enjoyed a lot of fun times with her siblings; Richard, Loren, and Neva. She attended school at the Eckley school, graduating in 1955.
Nedra went on to attend Northeastern Junior College in Sterling, CO graduating in 1958. After meeting at NJC, Wayne and Nedra were married at Trinity Lutheran Church in Ft. Morgan, CO on June 29, 1958. They made their home in Sterling, CO where Wayne went to work for Lebsack’s Feedyard. In 1962 Wayne and Nedra moved to Yuma where he was employed by Frank Herman and sons. Later on, Stan and Roger Herman, Verne Haruf, and Wayne formed Mill Iron Diamond where they had a diversified farming and ranching operation along with a dairy which Wayne managed for many years. Nedra and Wayne lived at Mill Iron Diamond where she loved horses and living on the farm spending many hours tending to her beloved horses “Chief” and “La” and many baby colts. She loved to “work” the arena and the smell of the freshly turned dirt. She was always very hands on helping around the ranch and the dairy. Nedra was an avid barrel racer at local rodeos and jackpots and belonged to the Yuma County Girls Barrel Racing Association. They were blessed with daughter Dani Rae on March 9, 1972 and the 3 of them always had a very special bond. Nedra was employed at various office jobs; including Equitable Savings, Production Credit Association, City of Yuma, and Farm Credit where she retired after 23 years. She begrudgingly adjusted to living in town when Wayne and Nedra moved in 1992, but in her heart she was always a country girl! When Wayne purchased his hay equipment, Wayne and Nedra started Hayman, Inc. Nedra loved going to the field with Wayne and helping rake the hay and sometimes swathing. She loved moving equipment from field to field and traveling the dirt roads and countryside. One day when she was moving the swather down main street in Eckley, the swather had a mind of it’s own and after a spin around in the middle of the street, she decided it was best that Wayne be in charge of moving the swather and she would stick with the other equipment! After Wayne was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, they retired from the hay business that they both loved so much.
Nedra had many hobbies and activities that she loved, including golfing with her best friend and golf partner Shirley Nelson and bowling in a women’s league where they went to state many years and also a couple’s league with Wayne. She was an active member of the Yuma Lioness Club for many years, as well as attending Lions Club functions with Wayne. Her favorite time of year was always Yuma County Fair time, she loved the fair and volunteered many hours helping time the county events and enjoyed watching pretty much every event. Nedra had a rather large collection of horses that she was very proud of. Another one of Nedra’s favorite activities was supporting Yuma High School athletics where she went to most volleyball and basketball games to support the Indians. She left the football games to Wayne, as she was a fair weather person and didn’t want to brave the cold.
When Dani married Matt Crossland in 2002, Nedra gained 2 grandsons, Alex and Aron, who she enjoyed greatly and she traveled to their school activities with Matt and Dani. Jessica Friedly shared that when Matt and Dani got married, she gained adopted grandparents as “Grandpa” Wayne and “Grandma” Nedra were always a part of Christmas celebrations, weddings, babies births, and all things in between. A special time in Nedra’s life was when her grandson Nathan was born in 2005. She loved him with all her heart and always supported him in everything he did! She loved the Lord and was a faithful member of St. John’s Lutheran church for many years. Nedra and Wayne were able to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary in 2008 with many friends and family.
After a life changing, devastating stroke, Nedra spent her final years at Washington County Nursing Home where a lot of the staff grew to love her like family. Some of the staff have shared that Nedra was one of a kind, going to miss her dearly, so happy she was a part of my life, I miss her laugh already and it was an honor to be a part of her care team. She touched so many people with her kind heart and unforgettable laugh!
Nedra was proceeded in death by her husband Wayne Mekelburg, parents Verlyn and Edna Probasco; father-in-law and mother-in-law Ed and Avaline Mekelburg; brother Richard Probasco, brothers and sisters-in-law Louise Probasco, John Castor, Leon and Doris Mekelburg, Maurice Mekelburg, Bud and Gen Mekelburg, nephew Mike Mekelburg, and infant son born in 1965; also dear friends Don and Shirley Nelson.
Nedra is survived by her daughter Dani and husband Matt of Yuma; Grandsons, Nathan of Yuma; Alex and wife Tori of Flagler, CO and their children Bailey, Braxton, and Brennen; Aron and wife Alyssa of Wray, CO and their children Mateo, Vivianna, and Waylon; brother Loren Probasco of Ft. Morgan, CO; sister Neva Castor of Thorton, CO; brother-in-law Gary (Marcia) Mekelburg of Casa Grande, AZ; Gale (Kathy) Mekelburg of Nampa, ID; sister-in-law Carol (Art) Scheierman of Sutton, NE; sister-in-law Jeannie Mekelburg of Green Valley, AZ; numerous nephews, nieces, and good friends.
The funeral service was held at St. John’s Lutheran Church on April 28, 2022 at 10:30 a.m. with Pastor Dennis Fitzpatrick officiating. Interment followed at the Yuma Cemetery. Arrangements were made by Baucke Funeral Home.
2022-05-06