Sherry Harsh

Sherry A. Harsh was born in Genoa, Nebraska on October 28, 1945. Her parents were Philip A. and Anna (Westerman) Stec.

Sherry spent her youth in Hastings, Nebraska where she graduated from Hastings High School in 1964. From there she spent the next two years attending Kearney State College. In May of 1967, she married Howard Kester, Jr. Within their marriage, they had three children, Kipp, Kari and Kirby Kester.

In her professional career she was very successful in direct home sales where she started a business called Princess House Crystal. The business grew and ultimately led Sherry to being a home sales director for western Kansas and Nebraska. In 1985, she joined her brother in a new business venture in starting a restaurant in Minden, Nebraska that would become known as SHEA’s.

Then in 1987, she began another chapter of her life in joining in marriage to Del Harsh at the farm house. The marriage led her to being a stepmother of five more children: Doug, Don, Dan, Dennis and Diana. Shortly after their marriage she earned a PhD as a grain cart driver and hog sorter. To one’s surprise, Dell and Sherry could sort hogs in 30 minutes and still love each other after!

In 1990, Sherry was selected to be the coordinator for the 1990 Census in Red Willow County. In her role she organized 27 leaders to help collect data as accurately as one could.

Sherry was fortunate in having the opportunity to visit Europe twice. Having two children in Hawaii, Del and Sherry made a strong commitment to visit them; and did so by traveling there many times. Sherry was also an avid supporter of Nebraska Football where she and Del attended games for 38 years. In 2001, Del and Sherry purchased a winter home in Arizona; they spent the last 24 winters there together.

Sherry passed away on June 1, 2025 at the Beaver City Manor in Beaver City, Nebraska. She was 79 years of age.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Philip and Anna Stec; parents-in-law, Lester and Elizabeth Harsh; and Travis Harsh.

Sherry is survived by her loving husband, Del Harsh; her eight children; ten grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; a large extended family and countless friends.

Cremation was chosen and services are scheduled for 10:30 AM on Monday morning, June 9, 2025 at the Trinity Community Church in Cambridge. A meal at the church for friends and family will follow services. A private family burial will take place in the Bartley Cemetery of Bartley, Nebraska.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Sherry's name are suggested to the Salvation Army or to the Alzheimer’s Association. Online condolences may be left at lockenour.com. Lockenour-Jones Mortuary of Cambridge has been entrusted with arrangements.