Death Notice: Evelyn M. Reed

Evelyn M. Reed was born March 5, 1938 and died on June 2, 2026.

Mother of Mrs. Cathy (Claine) Meyer

There will be a private Committal of Ashes for Evelyn at the Exeter Cemetery at a later date.

Exeter High School Class of 1951

 

(L-R): Dale Due, Shirley (Jansen) Krause, and Alice (Wilson) Plettner were in attendance at the Exeter/Exeter-Milligan Alumni Banquet to celebrate their 75th class reunion.

Exeter Public Library Kicks of Summer Reading Program

The Exeter Public Library officially kicked off its 2026 Summer Reading Program, “Unearth a Story,” with a morning of learning, exploration, and hands-on discovery for local children and families.

The event featured a special presentation from local science teacher Matt Nicholas, who helped bring the summer theme to life through an interactive lesson about soil and the many discoveries that can be found beneath our feet. Nicholas taught participants about the composition of soil, the organisms and artifacts that can be found within it, and the important role it plays in the world around us.

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Following the lesson, children had the opportunity to become young explorers themselves, sifting through dirt in search of hidden discoveries. The activity encouraged curiosity and observation.

The kickoff event set the tone for this year's summer reading theme, which celebrates exploration, history, science, and the stories waiting to be discovered all around us. Through books, activities, and special programs, the library hopes to inspire readers of all ages to dig deeper into new subjects and uncover stories that spark their imaginations.

Summer reading programs help children maintain literacy skills during the school break while encouraging a lifelong love of reading.

Library staff invites students to register for the Summer Reading Program and take part in the events planned throughout the summer. Whether uncovering hidden treasures in the soil, learning something new, or discovering a favorite book, participants are encouraged to embrace the spirit of “Unearth a Story” and see where their summer adventures lead.

The Summer Reading Program will continue each Tuesday in June from 10-11am. Stop by or call into the Exeter Public Library for more information.

Exeter Swimming Pool Rates

The Exeter Swimming Pool Rates for 2026 

Day Pass - $4.00 per person

Single Pass - $55.00

Family Pass - $120.00

Children under 4 years old are free.

Old Exeter/Exeter-Milligan High School Building to be Demolished

The old Exeter/Exeter-Milligan high school building is set to be demolished this summer. If you are unable to walk through the building during the timeframe provided by EMF Public Schools, enjoy these images. If you would like to see all images, please email the Village of Exeter at exetervillagewebsite@gmail.com. 

Exeter High School Class of 1946

 

Kenny Due was in attendance at the recent Exeter/Exeter-Milligan Alumni Banquet to celebrate his 80th class reunion.

Memorial Day Program

 

Memorial Day

 

Exeter/Exeter-Milligan Alumni Banquet 2026

 The Class of 2016 hosted the Exeter/Exeter-Milligan Alumni Banquet on Saturday, May 23, 2026.

Obituary | Melinda Lee Hofferber

 Marilyn Marie (Murphy) Manning. She was one of eight children born in the family. She passed away on May 9, 2026, at Hilltop Reserve Assisted Living in Denver, Colorado, at the age of 71 years, 8 months, and 30 days.

Melinda grew up in Burress, Nebraska, and attended Exeter Public School, graduating with the class of 1972.

Melinda first married Ken Mumby, and together they had a daughter, Lisa. The family moved to Las Vegas, Nevada, where Melinda earned an Associate’s Degree in Nursing from the University of Nevada-Las Vegas in 1975. After her divorce from Ken, she and Lisa returned to Lincoln, Nebraska.

On January 10, 1979, Melinda married Tom Hofferber, whom she met through her brother Tom and sister-in-law Bette Manning. Tom adopted Lisa, and the family settled on the Hofferber family farm near Fairmont, Nebraska.

Melinda’s nursing career was marked by passion, dedication, and innovation. She began working at Fillmore County Hospital, establishing the county’s first Cardiac Rehabilitation Program. While working full-time, she pursued a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing at the University of Nebraska, graduating in 1988. She then became Director of Cardiac Rehabilitation at York General Hospital from 1990 to 1999. A continuous learner, Melinda earned her Master of Science in Nursing/Advanced Practitioner Degree in Nursing in 2002 and relocated to Boulder, Colorado, where she served as a Nurse Practitioner at Rocky Mountain Cardiology (later Boulder Heart) for 20 years before retiring in 2022.

Beyond her work in the nursing field, Melinda contributed to the nursing and medical communities. She served on the board of the American Heart Association, including two years as president, and served on the board of the Nebraska Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation Network, the Physician Board Review of Colorado, and the Advanced Practitioner Preceptor program. She was also active on various policy boards, offering mentorship and guidance to countless colleagues.

Melinda loved life outside of work. She enjoyed time with her friends, family, and grandchildren, often finding ways to include the great outdoors in her adventures. On the farm, she could be found working in the yard or cycling on gravel roads. Family trips to Grand Lake, Colorado were favorites, and were filled with mountain scenery, kayaking, and hiking. She also enjoyed advanced puzzles, painting, floral arrangements, and teaching Sunday School with her sister-in-law, Bette Manning, at the United Methodist Church in Geneva. Melinda was loved by all of her friends and family, and left impactful impressions on her patients and colleagues far and wide.

Melinda was preceded in death by her parents, Thomas and Marilyn Manning; her sister, Clara Manning-Fletcher; and her former husband, Tom Hofferber.

She is survived by her daughter, Lisa Suzanne Gutterman & husband Steve; her grandchildren, Henry Manning Smith, Hayden Andrew Smith, and Gemma Rose Smith; her brothers, Thomas David Manning & wife Bette, Chris Manning & wife Brenda, Mark Manning & Sheree Miller, Kent Manning & wife Cindy, Matt Manning & wife Heather; and her sister, Jennifer Manning & Robb Urschel.