Wendy Jo O’Neel, 42 of Burwell died Monday, September 6, 2010, at the Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney following an accident while riding her horse.

Funeral Services will be held on Friday, September 10, 2010, at 10:00 a.m. at the Ord First United Methodist Church in Ord with Pastor Greg Barnes officiating. Burial will be in the Ord City Cemetery. Visitation will be on Thursday from 5:30-8:30 p.m. at the church. In lieu of flowers memorials are suggested to an Education Trust Fund for her children, Clinton and Darci; Valley County Health System Foundation, Ord Christian Church, Valley County Ag Society or the Nebraska Children’s Home. Ord Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

Wendy Jo was born May 27, 1968, in Gothenburg, Nebraska to Jerry L. and Patricia J. (DeFruiter) Bauer. Her early years were spent on a ranch near Brady, Nebraska. As a young child, Wendy moved with her family to Loup City where she received her education and graduated from Loup City High School in 1986.

On June 15, 1991, Wendy was united in marriage to Rodney O’Neel at the Assembly of God Church in Ord. Through adoption Wendy and Rod were blessed with two children, Clinton Samuel and Darci Jessica Rose. Along with their children they were also blessed to have the birth mother and her daughter, Jessica Ann and Josephine M.J. Pierce become a special part of their family.

For the last 20 years Wendy has been employed at the Valley County Health System in Ord. Currently she was working as the Lead Medical Transcriptionist in the Health Information Department. She loved her work and co-workers and was a loyal and dedicated employee of the hospital. Wendy was also involved with the O’Neel Family Farm and Ranch northwest of Elyria. She had a passion for the cattle, chickens and horses.

Wendy was a member of the Ord Christian Church where she was a Sunday School Teacher. She was involved in the Valley County Fair and served as the Poultry Superintendent. Her hobbies included working in her yard and flower gardens. She especially enjoyed her children, family and friends. She always looked forward to riding horses and helping on the ranch.

Survivors include her husband, Rodney; a son, Clinton, and a daughter, Darci all of Burwell; her parents, Jerry and Pat Bauer of Elyria; a brother and sister-in-law, Wade and Vicki Bauer of Arcadia, their children, Clay and Calli Bauer; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Mike and Bev O’Neel of Ord; a brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Terry and Denise O’Neel of Ord, their children, Tyler and Travis O’Neel and Timbre Cassell; and Clinton and Darci’s, birthmother, Jessica Ann Pierce and their birth sister, Josephine M.J. Pierce both of Palmyra.

Wendy passed away this afternoon a little after 1:00 PM. Please pray for Rod, Clinton and Darcy O'Neel and Rod and Wendys familys.

Prayers are needed for Wendy O'Neel who was in an accident on Saturday. She is in the hospital at Kearney and her and the family are in need of your prayers.