ARAPAHOE, Neb. — Myrtle Olivia Luster Gibson, age 88, of Arapahoe, Neb. passed away Monday, April 8, 2019 at the C.A. Mues Good Samaritan Center in Arapahoe, Neb. She was born on Nov. 8, 1930 to Anna (Anderson) and Joseph Valentine of Manassa, Colo.

She was named after the little white flower. She was pronounced dead as an infant and her mother kept working with her rubbing and rocking and pacing the floor till she came back to.

She attended school in Manassa and was baptized in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints at the age of 8 years. She fell in love with Robert Luster, Jr. and eloped to Taos, N.M. on Oct. 20, 1950. He left shortly after their wedding to serve in the Korean War. They moved to Uravan, Colo. Being unable to have children, they started the adoption process. They were contacted by social services with a little girl that was available. She came into their home and 25 days later Robert Luster, Jr. passed away. Myrtle, like her mother, wouldn’t give up and proceeded with the adoption at the hands of the Lord and a good attorney. The adoption of Shannon Kaye Luster was the first single parent adoption in the State of Colorado. Myrtle moved back to Manassa to raise Shannon with the help of her parents and family. She worked many jobs to provide for her and Shannon, including the Flower Shop in Manassa owned by a dear friend Laura Sowards. She also worked at the Conejos County courthouse and the local grocery store. In October of 1978, she was sealed for time and all eternity to Robert Luster, Jr. and Shannon was sealed to them. On Dec. 26, 1980, she married Fred Gibson and they resided in bountiful Colorado till he passed away seven years later. She then moved closer to family in Prairie View, Kan. and served in many callings in the Phillipsburg Branch.

She moved to Oxford, Neb. and attended the Lexington Ward. She then moved to Sunshine Village in Arapahoe, Neb. until being placed in the assisted living and later in the nursing home at C.A. Mues Good Samaritan Center in Arapahoe, Neb. She dedicated her life to her family and church with service and love. She will be missed by all.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husbands, Robert Luster, Jr. and Fred Gibson; brothers, Raymond and Warren; and Infant brother and sister, Joseph and Clara.

She leaves behind a legacy of one daughter, Shannon and husband Steve Horton of Lexington, Neb.; granddaughter, Alisha and husband Arlyn Wasenius of Arapahoe; and four great-grandchildren, Ashton and wife Olivia, Alivia, Ander, and Annaka; and great-great-granddaughter, Ellowynn Rose; grandson, Steven Shaun and wife Laurie Horton of Loup City, Neb.; and three great-grandchildren, Lexie, Haylie and Trevor; grandson, Robert and wife Jennifer Horton of North Loup, Neb.; and great-grandchildren, Chesney, Emmitt, Ellyette and Caiden; granddaughter, Kamie and husband Joey Soncksen of Edison, Neb.; and five great-grandchildren, Devin, BriAllen, Branson, Jaxtyn, Jentsen; and many extended family members.

Viewing and visitation will be Friday, April 12, 2019 from 5-7 p.m. at Wenburg Funeral Chapel, 652 Main St., Arapahoe, Neb. Funeral services will be Saturday, April 12, 2019 at 11 a.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints of Lexington, Neb. with visitation from 10-11 a.m. before the service. On Monday, April 15, 2019 there will be a viewing and visitation from 10-11:30 a.m. Mountain Time at Rogers Family Mortuary, 205 N. Third St., Manassa, Colo. with committal and burial to follow at New Manassa Cemetery, Manassa, Colo. Rogers Funeral Mortuary of Manassa, Colorado and Wenburg Funeral Home of Arapahoe, Neb. are in charge of the arrangements. Condolences or personal reflections can be left at wenburgfuneralhome.com.