Alice Pokorny of Ord, Nebraska passed away peacefully on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, at the Community Memorial Health Center in Burwell, Nebraska at the age of 88.

Alice was born on August 7, 1937, in rural Howard County near Dannebrog, Nebraska, the daughter of Andrew Frank and Theresa Frances (Lubash) Sonnenfeld. She was the oldest of four children and grew up with her siblings, Clarence, Evelyn, and Roseann.

As a young girl, Alice moved with her family to Valley County near Arcadia where she attended country school in Valley County through the eighth grade.

Alice dreamed of raising a family of her own. When Eugene “Gene” Pokorny kissed her at a football game, she knew he was the one. Alice and Gene were married on June 19, 1957, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Arcadia, Nebraska. They made their first home five miles north of Arcadia before moving to the Pokorny family farm in 1964.

Alice was a hardworking farm wife and Gene’s right-hand gal. She raised baby chicks, gathered and sold eggs and fryers, and helped care for rabbits, sheep, goats, hogs, and cattle. She milked cows, put up hay, built fence, stacked alfalfa bales, and tended a large garden. She also loved plants and flowers and took pride in keeping them growing.

Of all the things she raised and cared for, Alice was most proud of her three boys, Danny, Bobby, and Jimmy. Her family was the center of her life, and she showed her love by making sure everyone was cared for and well fed.

Alice was known for her fried chicken dinners, kolaches, meringue pies, chocolate popcorn balls, and homemade angel food cakes for birthdays. She also made popcorn and kettle corn on the stove. If she could not sleep, she could often be found baking in the middle of the night. Christmas, Thanksgiving, birthdays, and other family gatherings were made special by the meals and treats she prepared.

Alice enjoyed spending time with family, friends, and neighbors. She attended school events, played pitch, and enjoyed watching high school football and basketball games with Gene. She especially loved seeing and playing with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Their visits always brought a smile to her face.

Alice’s Catholic faith was an important part of her life. She and Gene were members of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in Ord, where Alice also belonged to the Altar Society. Her faith, devotion to family, strong work ethic, and generous spirit guided her throughout her life.

Alice is survived by her three sons and two daughters-in-law, Danny “Dan” and Laura Pokorny of Ord, Bobby “Bob” Pokorny of Ord, and Jimmy “Jim” and Teri Pokorny of North Platte; three granddaughters, Jennifer and Josh Smith of Ord, Janell Pokorny of Hastings, and Heather Pokorny and James Mills, of Gibbon; four great-grandchildren, Jericho, Jaxon, and Josie Smith of Ord, and Ashtyn Rowbal of Hastings; a sister, Roseann Anderson; sister-in-law, Marcia Sonnenfeld; and many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Eugene; her grandson, Jason Pokorny; brother, Clarence Sonnenfeld; sister and brother-in-law, Evelyn and Dennis Kuszak; brother-in-law, Keith Anderson; and her parents-in-law, Frank and Emma Pokorny.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, August 3, 2026, at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in Ord, Nebraska. Father Paul Colling will be the Mass Celebrant. Interment will be in the Ord Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be on Sunday, from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the church. The Rosary will be recited at 5:00 p.m. 

Memorials are suggested to the Arcadia Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department or Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church.