Bernard L. Batten

Bernard Batten, 82 of Grand Island died February 14, 2016. Services will be at 10:30 AM, Monday, February 22, 2016 at Third City Christian Church with Pastor Scott Jones officiating. Burial will be in Grand Island City Cemetery. Visitation will be on Sunday from 5 until 7 PM at Apfel Funeral Home in Grand Island. Memorials are suggested to Third City Christian Church. Apfel Funeral Home is serving the family.

Bernard Lynn Batten was born December 2, 1933 to Cleo and Ofie Batten in Fleming, CO. At 6 weeks of age his parents moved to southwest Iowa, near Gravity. Bernard received his education in rural schools in the Gravity and New Market area. He graduated from New Market High School in 1952. On June 22, 1956 he married his grade school sweetheart, Verna Jean Sanders. On September 1, he joined the Brown Shoe Fit Company and started his training in Red Oak, IA. After two years he went to Nebraska City, and then was appointed Manager and Co-owner of the store in Maryville, MO. In July of 1968, he was asked by the company to move to Grand Island to pioneer new growth in central Nebraska. He served as coordinator for Browns Shoe Fit until his retirement in 1995. He served on the board of directors and was voted store of the year twice in his career. He was a member of Third City Christian Church, always willing to help when possible. He loved traveling with Verna, especially to Estes Park, CO during the summer and south during the winter. He was a dedicated fan of Nebraska Football.

Survivors include his wife, Verna Batten of Grand Island; sons, Curtis (Patricia) Batten of Fremont, NE and Craig (Mary) Batten of Cedar Park, TX; grandchildren, Andrew, Abigail and Alexander Batten of Texas and Davis and Meredith Batten of Fremont; brothers, Clark (Marilyn) Batten and Steve (Carol) Batten, both of Clarinda, IA and sister in law, Barbara Batten of New Market, IA. He was welcomed into heaven by his parents; grandparents and his brother, Bob Batten.