Selma Breslin, 106 of Newcastle, Nebraska went home to be with the Lord on Friday, December 24, 2021. Services will be held 11:00am Saturday, January 8, 2022 at the St. Peter’s Church in Newcastle, NE, with Rev. Andrew Sohm and Rev. Jim McClaskey officiating. Burial will be in St. Peter’s Calvary Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Waterbury Funeral Service of Sioux City.

Selma was born at home on June 18, 1915 in Norden, Nebraska to John and Selma (Fox) Powell. Like so many communities in Northwest Nebraska, it was the train that built a lot of the small towns, and that brought the Powell’s to Newcastle, Nebraska. Selma graduated from Wynot High School in 1932.

She married Charles Breslin on October 16, 1940. The couple bought their home with all its charm in 1963. Selma was a stay at home wife, taking care of the garden, cooking, and tending to her beautiful flowers. Irises were always her favorite. Charles passed away in 1980, and then at the young age of 74 Selma learned to drive and take care of business. She pushed mowed her lawn until the age of 97. In 2012 she baked her last two peach pies for the Memorial Day community meal; something she did each year; by Selma’s rules, they couldn’t be baked prior to 7:00pm the day before as they would be ‘old if done earlier in the day’. Selma was a great cook. She would make popcorn balls at Halloween and divinity for Christmas. She’d begin each morning with Mass, coffee with the gals, going to the post office, and then back home to feed her outdoor cats. She would then pick up the newspaper off the porch and turn to the crossword puzzles. At 97 Selma agree to go to Elm’s Assisted Living and Nursing facility in Ponca, she enjoyed the activities and the companionship. Selma had an Irish plaque and one of the serenity prayers on the wall that states, “accept the things I cannot change” which emphasizes her life.  She was one of the two Parade Marshall in the 150 ^th Anniversary of the Newcastle Parade. Selma was an amazing woman. To have known her was an honor.

Selma is a member of the St. Peter’s Church, American Legion Auxiliary, and the Over 60’s club. She enjoyed traveling from Newcastle to Ponca for the ladies bowling league at Centennial Lanes, watching movies at the theatre in Newcastle for a dime. Selma was well known for her delicious peanut brittle. She also enjoyed cooking, canning, gardening, playing cards, and playing the organ. Selma would go to the cemetery on her husband and friend’s heaven dates and release balloons.

She is survived by her nephew, Tom Powell, and two nieces, Gail Hindman, Mary Riggins, and many friends.

Selma is preceded in death by her parents, husband, Charles, two brothers, Harold, Arliss, half brother, Charlie, and her fur buddy Mitzi.