Date Posted: 2014-04-26
Maiden Name: Hibberd

Delores B. "Dee" Steinmetz-Kugler, 83, of Lexington, Nebraska, passed away Saturday, April 26, 2014, at Plum Creek Healthcare Community in Lexington.     

She was born May 14, 1930, in Gibbon, Nebraska, to Martin and Marie (Haug) Hibberd. The family moved to Lexington in 1940. She graduated from Lexington High School with the class of 1947.  Following graduation she went on to receive her Registered Nursing Degree at the Nebraska Methodist Hospital School of Nursing in Omaha. In 1955, she was united in marriage to William Steinmetz, who passed away in October of 1988. Two daughters, Julie and Jill, were blessed to this marriage.     

Dee lived in Santa Barbara, California, from 1960 until returning to her hometown of Lexington in 2005. While in California she worked as a nurse at Goleta Valley Community Hospital in Goleta, California.  She loved nursing, taking care of her patients and comforting their families.  It was her true calling in life. On September 3, 1995, she was united in marriage to H. Dale Kugler. The couple enjoyed a wonderful marriage until Dale's death in July of 2012.     

Dee was a remarkable woman who enjoyed life. She had her private pilot's license; played golf; refinished furniture; enjoyed snow skiing, cooking, andsewing; and treasured the time spent with her granddaughter, Emily.     

She was a member of Parkview Baptist Church in Lexington where she enjoyed attending Sunday school and Bible studies and helping those in need.     Dee's family wishes to give special thanks to Plum Creek Healthcare Community for the excellent, compassionate care Dee received while living there.     

Survivors include her daughters; Julie (Gerald) Polmateer of Gillette, Wyoming; and, Jill Steinmetz of Santa Barbara, California; one granddaughter, Emily Polmateer of Wall, South Dakota; one sister, Rosie Jelden of Greeley, Colorado; and extended family and friends.     

Dee was preceded in death by her husbands, her parents; one brother and sister-in-law, Bill and Jane Hibberd; and one brother-in-law, David Jelden.     

A memorial service will be held Thursday, May 1, 2014, at 11:00 a.m. at Parkview Baptist Church in Lexington with Pastor John Shields officiating.     

Interment will be held prior to the memorial service at 9:30 a.m. in Greenwood Cemetery at Lexington.     

Visitation will be Wednesday, April 30, 2014, from 5-7 p.m. at the Reynolds-Love Chapel in Lexington.    

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Lexington Grand Generation Center, Plum Creek HealthCare Community Memorial Fund, or the Alzheimer's Association.     

Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington is assisting the family with arrangements. To share online condolences with the family, please visit reynoldslovefuneralhome.com.