George Korrey, Iliff
Aug. 31, 1914 - June 28, 2008

George Korrey, 93, of Iliff, died June 28, 2008, in Sterling. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday, July 2, at Chaney-Reager Funeral Home. Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, July 3, at First Christian Church with Fr. Stephen Reed officiating. Burial will be at Riverside Cemetery.
George was born Aug. 31, 1914, in Gothenburg, Neb., to John and Mable (Maloush) Korrey. The family moved from Gothenburg to Logan County in 1918.
On Dec. 12, 1946, he married Minnie E. Abood in Kearney, Neb.
George was a lifelong farmer in Iliff, and served as the mayor of Iliff from 1948 to 1954. He also served as Logan County commissioner from 1972 to 1976.
In 1980, he started the Logan County Farmers Market. He received an award for 20 years of service as Market Master.
George won a number of community awards through the years. In 1984, he was given the Friend of 4-H Award. He was chosen as the Grand Marshall of the Logan County Fair Parade in 1988, and he was given the Pioneer Award at the Cowboy Breakfast in 2000. He was given the Friend of Education Award by RE-1 Valley School District in 1989. Oct. 31, 1997, was proclaimed George and Minnie Korrey Day by the mayor of Sterling for the Korrey's commitment to education and Pumpkin Heroes of the community.
George also was active in many community clubs and organizations. He was a lifetime member of BPO Elks Lodge No. 1336. He was chosen as the Elk of the Year in 1984, and the Elks Citizen of the Year in 1986. He also was a lifetime member of the Iliff Lions Men's Club.
He was a 54-year member of the Centennial Soil Conservation Board, earning the 50 Years Outstanding Service Award in 2001. He also was a 50-year member of the Farm Bureau. He served on the Padroni Soil Conservation District Board for 45 years, earning the Award of Merit and an award in 2000 for 50 years as District Supervisor.
He was a member of Prince of Peace Episcopal Church.
George was chosen to carry the Olympic Torch in 1996, and he was honored to represent his community.
He was noted for his generosity to school children and civic organizations throughout the area.
George is survived by his wife, Minnie E. Korrey of Iliff; daughters, Janet Couch and husband Michael of Ocala, Fla., and Shirley Magnuson and husband Gary of Fort Lupton; son, John Korrey and wife Janna of Iliff; brother, Dave Korrey and wife Doloris of Sterling; sister, Mary May of Sterling; seven grandchildren, Jennifer Neveras and husband Gary of Orlando, Fla., Amy Magnuson of Greeley, Jeff Couch and wife Janine of Tallahassee, Fla., Ann Marie Bennett and husband Andrew of Milliken, Cory Magnuson and wife Billie of New York City, Heidi Korrey Tribbett and husband Mike of Sterling, and Lacey Korrey of Iliff; and four great-great-grandchildren, Joshua Korrey Neveras, Mia Ann Bennett, Fiabela Magnuson and Charles Logan Couch.
He was preceded in death by his brothers, Mike, Ed, Ronald and Donald Korrey; sister, Maggie Dolan; and parents, John and Mable Korrey.
Memorials may be made to the George Korrey Memorial Fund.