Pauline Joy McFarlane, resident of Burwell, Nebraska, passed away on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, at the Valley County Health System Hospital in Ord, Nebraska at the age of 86.
Born on the family homestead North of Burwell, Nebraska, on a snowy February 7, 1940, Pauline Joy was the second daughter of Adolph H. and Edith Fern Fischer. She began her education at the Gold Standard Country School located about two miles to the Northeast of their farm. She graduated from Burwell High School in 1958.
In her early years, Pauline worked for local families in their homes assisting with household tasks and caring for the children. She then moved to Norfolk, Nebraska where she gained employment working at the Gibsons Department store until 1972. It was during a vacation in Wyoming that she met her future husband, Robert McFarlane. They were united in marriage on April 8, 1972, at the Methodist Church in Burwell, Nebraska. This union was later dissolved in 1992.
The couple settled in Robert’s hometown, Lusk, Wyoming. Pauline began working at the local café located at the main street intersection of Lusk and worked there until 1976. She then began an in-home daycare. After her children were of school age, she began her own cleaning service business and also became one of the local Avon ladies in her community. After several years she then began doing home health care for various elderly citizens in Lusk. Her journey brought her back to Burwell, Nebraska in 2002. Shortly after returning to Burwell, she sought employment at the Community Memorial Health Center as a cleaning aide. After reaching retirement age, she chose to become a stay-at-home grandma and care for young children in her home.
Pauline was a woman of many talents, excelling in sewing, baking, cooking, gardening, and canning. She also enjoyed her time playing dominos, cards, and BINGO, and had a fondness for watching the changes of the weather.
In 2023, Pauline chose to relocate to Ord, Nebraska and became a resident of Grandview. She then moved to Arbor care in December of 2024 and resided there until her passing in 2026.
Survivors include two daughters and sons-in-law, Anne and Marty Freeman of Burwell and Annette and Joseph Kolwalski of Sargent, Nebraska; three grandchildren, Jacob Ervin, Traigh and Taittin Freeman; two sisters and a brother-in-law, Loraine and Terry Covington of Kirbyville, Missouri and Arlene Lewis of Ord, Nebraska; and several nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
Pauline was preceded in death by her parents, Adolph H. and Edith F. Fischer; one brother, LaVern R. Fischer; one sister, Velva Y. Jezbera and an infant angel sibling lost before its time.
Comments