Henry G. Medina entered into eternal rest and into God’s loving arms peacefully on February 6, 2015 after a short illness.

He is survived by his four children including sons Henry and Andrew (Jennifer) of Colorado Springs, Colorado, daughters Josie Powell (Neil) of Spokane, Washington, and Hope Medina of Davis, California, and siblings, Jess Medina, Juanita Fuentez, Chris Florez, and Maggie Medina.

Henry was preceded in death by his loving wife Elodia, parents Fidencio and Benita, as well as his brothers Mike, Frank, Joe, Matt, Bob, Guy, Norman, and sisters Tania, Sister Mary Consolata, Josephine, and Mary, and two grandsons, Nish Powell and Jesse Medina.

Henry was born on November 11, 1921 in Prairie Home, Nebraska. Subsequent moves to Meadow and later Fairbury, Nebraska followed, where he graduated from Fairbury High School in 1939. After completing high-school he joined his father and brothers working on the Rock Island railroad line. In 1942 he was drafted by the United States Army where he served three years in the Philippines in the Pacific Theater as a radio operator. After an Honorable Discharge from the Army, Henry resumed his work on the railroad eventually retiring after 40 years in 1981.

After his retirement Henry spent countless hours in his backyard vegetable garden that produced several varieties of tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers. The fruits of his labors often became products in his wife Elodia’s summer canning efforts. He combined his love of gardening with his love for God and his church volunteering as a groundskeeper for St. Mary’s Catholic Church first under Father Francis Murphy, and then Father Paul York. In addition, he kept up lawns of several Ashland community members. As a life-long Nebraska Cornhusker and San Francisco 49er’s fan, Henry could be found either listening or watching games on fall Saturdays and Sundays. In addition, he also enjoyed listening to classic country and western music having acquired a large collection of CDs.

Henry enjoyed spending time with his family often traveling regularly to Colorado Springs to visit his sons, sister and extended family or having them over to his house. These visits became even more enjoyable once his grandchildren were born and added a new level of happiness to his life.

While later years found Henry slowing down, he remained a fixture in the community. On any given day you might catch a glimpse of him at No Frills Supermarket, Farmers and Merchants bank, post office, and Bloom’s Flower Shop. Often he would stop for a bite to eat at local eateries in town. A member of the Ashland community since 1959, Henry had many friends and acquaintances in town and looked forward to seeing and talking with them whenever he could. Central to everything Henry believed in, and held firm to, was his faith. The highlight of his week was attending Mass at St. Mary’s Church. While his children hold countless memories of their father, it is the faith he held so dear and that he passed on to them that remains his greatest legacy.