Ole S. Chesley

Ole S. Chesley, 97, of Callaway, Nebraska, passed away on Thursday, July 15, 2021, at the Good Life Center in Callaway.

He was born December 3, 1923, in Callaway, Nebraska to Harry B. and Anna M. (Seyerson) Chesley. Ole was born and raised in the log home built by his grandfather, Paul Seyerson. He attended Triumph School, a two room school house that took students through 10th grade. His last two years of school were in Callaway, graduating with the class of 1940. He then went on to further his education at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, but after a semester was called home to help on the farm on a farm deferment. Ole also spent two years teaching school at Hillside District 215 during that time.

Ole was united in marriage to Donna Shaw on October 1, 1946 at the Fidelity EUB Church near Callaway, Nebraska. Four children were blessed to this union: Roger, Steven, Carol and Lane.

After their marriage, they lived in Gunnison for a two years where they purchased 80 acres of land and ran a dairy farm. They then moved back near Arnold, Nebraska on Garfield Table before moving to their home on the South Loup river between Arnold and Callaway. Their home there was a work in progress, where Ole perfected his carpentry skills in the winter months when there were no crops. They would reside there until 1995, when Lane built them a house in town. In 2018, they moved to Meadowlark Pointe Assisted Living in Cozad where Donna passed away in 2018, and Ole would live until his final two months back in Callaway.

Ole was very active in the Callaway community. He was a school board member for many years, Lion’s Club member, Extension Board member of Custer County and also on the Custer County Feeder’s and Breeder’s.  

Ole farmed and ranched, had a dairy herd and even helped drive the school bus. He enjoyed woodworking, traveling, reading and bird watching. Ole was a faithful member of the United Methodist Church in Callaway. He served on various committees in the church and at the district and conference levels. Also served as a lay preacher. His faith, family and church were the core of his life. Above all, Ole has left a tremendous legacy of love and faith to his family.

Survivors include his children, Roger (Marion) Chesley of Callaway, Carol (Tim) Boyle of Elwood, and Lane (Melanie) Chesley of Callaway; daughter-in-law, Mary Kay Chesley of Rifle, Colorado; nine grandchildren, Kari Chesley, Leif Chesley, Tara (Todd) Preston, Brett Chesley, Megan (Lee) Dreyer, Ryan (Madeline) Boyle, Caitlin (Matt) Smith, Meredith (Jaycob) O’Hanlon and Dylan Chelsey; eight great-grandchildren with another one due in September; numerous nieces, nephews, extended family and many friends.

Ole was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Donna; son, Steve; granddaughter, Stefanie Kay; two sisters, Rhoda Chaloupka and Cora Longmore; brother, Elgin Chesley; half-brother, Orville Chesley; half-sister, Evelyn Longmore; brother-in-law, Donald Shaw and sisters-in-law, Mildred Wright, Doris Chesley and Norma Cole.

A Celebration of Life Service will be on Tuesday, July 20, 2021 at 10:30 a.m. at the Callaway United Methodist Church with Pastor Shanon Williams, officiating. The service will be livestreamed via the Reynolds-Love Funeral Home Facebook page.

Visitation will be held on Monday, July 19, 2021 from 5-7 p.m. at the Callaway United Methodist Church.

Burial will be in Rose Hill Cemetery at Callaway.

Memorials are kindly suggested to the Callaway Community Foundation towards the Assisted Living Project or Callaway United Methodist Church.

Timm-Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Callaway is honored to be assisting the family with arrangements. Please share online condolences with family by visiting: reynoldslovefuneralhome.com