Veda Ilene Ford

VEDA ILENE FORD

February 12, 1937 – May 3, 2026

Veda Ilene (Cady) Ford, a faithful servant of the Lord, entered into the presence of her Savior, Jesus Christ, on May 3, 2026, after dying peacefully in her sleep at the age of 89.

Born on February 12, 1937, to Cliff and Winnie (Sanders) Cady in Gordon, Nebraska, she was the second youngest of 7 children (plus two more that died as infants). Her father died when she was only 12. She attended grade school at rural Cherry Co. School Rockford District 34 and graduated from Gordon High School.

Veda married Chris Ford from Rushville in 1958 and from that union had five sons, Chris, Jeff, Mike, Greg, and Jon. After their divorce, Veda worked several different jobs and with the support of family, friends, church, and the community, managed to raise five young sons on her own. Four of her five sons served in the Army National Guard and Veda was awarded the prestigious Molly Pitcher award to commemorate her contributions to the Field Artillery. This was well-deserved as she spent many hours worrying about her sons, and later seven of her grandchildren, as they served their country in various capacities and locations.

Veda kept strong ties to her Nebraska roots, living in Gordon, Merriman, Chadron, Seward, and Omaha. She enjoyed stained glass art, doing puzzles, reading, and participating in The Red Hat Society. She loved elephants and had an extensive collection of elephant figurines, many of which were gifts from friends and family.

Veda attended Hillcrest Church in Seward until she moved to the Omaha area in February 2024 to be closer to family. She will be remembered for her unwavering faith, quiet strength, kindness, and sense of humor.

Survivors include her son Chris (Peg) Ford of Gering, NE; Jeff (Jody) Ford of Elkhorn, NE; Mike (Noel) Ford of Sutton, NE; Greg Ford of Omaha, NE; and Jon (Michelle) Ford of Parkville, MO; 12 grandchildren; 7 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her siblings: Danny Cady (infant); Lonny Cady (infant); Ben (Viola) Cady of Gordon, NE; Joe (Avis) Cady of Kearney, NE; Robert (Lynn) Cady of Broken Arrow, OK; Lois (Loren) Zlomke of Gordon, NE; Eila (Dick) Chappel of Chadron, NE; and Lona (Dan) Baldauf of South Carolina. Her daughter-in-law, Kim (Greg) Ford also preceded her in death.

A graveside service will be held at the Gordon Cemetery at 10:00, on Saturday June 6, 2026, followed by a celebration of life ceremony at the Gordon American Legion at 11:30. All friends and family are welcome.