Genevieve Marie Gerdes, daughter of Thomas Henry Gerdes and Rena Mathilda (Rademacher) Gerdes, was born October 9, 1917 on a farm near Auburn. She was one of four children born to this union.
Genevieve was baptized on November 4, 1917 at the St. John's (Stone) Lutheran Church, southwest of Auburn. She was also confirmed at that church on March 20, 1932. Genevieve attended District 41 Rural School through the 8th grade.
On July 10, 1940 she was united in marriage to Walter Michel at the St. John's Lutheran Church. Together they raised a daughter and a son. In 1941 Walter and Genevieve transferred their membership to the Zion Lutheran Church, north of Johnson. Genevieve taught Sunday School, helped with quilting at the church, and was a member of the Altar Guild and of the women's circle.
Genevieve helped her husband Walter on the farm. In November of 2000 Walter died. Genevieve lived on the farm until 2001 when due to the need of assistance she moved to Longs Creek Village in Auburn. She was a resident of Longs Creek until April of 2007 when due to ill health Genevieve entered Good Samaritan Society of Auburn. It is there that on July 29, 2008, Genevieve died having reached the age of 90 years, nine months and 20 days. She was preceded in death by her parents, three brothers, and her husband Walter.
Surviving are her daughter Sandra Baker and husband Jim of Norfolk; son Dale Michel and special friend Raine Weyer of Johnson; seven grandchildren: Christine, Matt, Stacey, Derek, Dana, Timothy, and Joshua, and 11 great-grandchildren; three sisters-in-law Mildred Gerdes and Pearl Gerdes of Auburn, and Mildred Bliefernich of Kearney; other relatives and many friends.
A funeral service was held August 2 at the Zion Lutheran Church near Johnson, officiated by Pastor William Dressen.
Pallbearers were Matt Michel, Derek Michel, Timothy Baker, Joshua Baker, Lee Moerer and Michael Monosmith
Mary Johnson was organist for congregational hymns.
Burial followed at the Zion Lutheran Cemetery.
Hall Funeral Chapel of Auburn, NE was in charge of arrangements for Genevieve M. Michel.
Delenna Rae (Vieth) Halkens, daughter of Herbert and Gretchen (Kerwin) Vieth, was born June 10, 1938 in Fremont. She attended Fremont Public Schools and graduated from Fremont High School.
Sept. 19, 1959 Del was united in marriage to Melvin Halkens at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Fremont. This union was blessed with two children: Rhonda and Michael.
The couple made their home in Fremont for the next six years, when they moved to Las Vegas, Nev. In 1973 Del and family moved to Auburn to make their home. While in Auburn Del worked at the Deep Rock Service Station, and she and her husband also owned and operated the Dairy Sweet for a time. All through her married life, however, Delenna considered herself a homemaker, wife and mother first and foremost.
Del attended St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Auburn, and she and Mel had been members of the Ruffles and Shuffles square dance club and the Nemaha County Saddle Club. The couple enjoyed traveling, and Del also liked to paint in her spare time. Again, her most treasured times were spent with her family.
Delenna became ill early in 2008, and it was on Aug. 5, 2008 that she died at her home, surrounded by family. She had reached the age of 70 years, one month, and 26 days. Her parents and grandson Matthew Uher preceded her in death.
She is survived by her husband Mel of Auburn; daughter and son-in-law Rhonda and Dan Uher of Omaha; son and daughter-in-law Michael and Sherry Halkens of North Platte; four grandchildren; twin sister Deloris and husband Kenneth Anderson, Lyons, NE; brother John Vieth, Fremont, other relatives and friends.
Funeral services were Aug. 9, 2008 at Hemmingsen Funeral Home in Auburn, officiated by Rev. Greg Pawloski.
Special music was played, and pallbearers were Ryan Uher, Kyle Uher, Kari Halkens, Stacy Halkens, Dale Cunningham and Chuck Rodeman.
Hemmingsen Funeral Home of Auburn was in charge of arrangements.
Helen E. (Volker) Dirksen was born to Julius and Frieda (Geyer) Volker on May 19, 1931 at Humboldt. She was baptized June 4, 1931 and confirmed Oct. 14, 1945 at the St. James Lutheran Church, rural Humboldt. Helen attended District 46 Country School and graduated from Bratton Union High School in 1950.
She was united in marriage to Norman Dirksen at the St. James Lutheran Church, Humboldt, on February 21, 1952. To this union four children were born.
When they were first married they lived by Elk Creek and later moved to their farm south of Cook in 1960. After Norman died on Oct. 1, 2001, Helen continued to live on the farm until her health began to fail. She became a resident of Belle Terrace in Tecumseh in August, 2004.
Helen enjoyed embroidery, gardening, canning and being on the farm. She was involved with several organizations at Grace Lutheran Church. She loved quilting with the women's group at church and also making quilts for her grandchildren. Helen was a people person and loved visiting with others. She loved helping others at Belle Terrace and participating in bingo and crafts.
Helen died at Belle Terrace in Tecumseh on August 9, 2008 at the age of 77 years.
She is survived by her daughter Marlene Thornton and husband David of Weatherford, Texas; son David Dirksen and wife Elaine of Lincoln; six grandchildren, four great-grandchildren; sisters, Hilda Dieckhoff of Beatrice, Laura Ottemann and husband Arnold of Johnson, Evelyn Johnson and husband Dayle of Waverly; brother Otto Volker and wife Helen of Johnson; sisters-in-law; Luetta Volker of Johnson and Lenora Volker of Humboldt, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Helen was preceded in death by her parents, husband Norman, son Danny, daughter Marilyn Sue, brothers Oscar Volker, Ervin Volker and Lawrence Volker and sister Edna Goos.
Funeral services were held at the Grace Lutheran Church in Cook on August 13, with Rev. Steven Billington officiating.
Organist Grace Bentzinger accompanied congregational hymns.
Pallbearers were Dale Ottemann, Gary Volker, Adam Thornton, Roger Goos, Leland Volker, Harlan Ottemann, D.J.Dirksen and Butch Rorabaugh.
Interment was in the Martin Luther Cemetery, rural Johnson.
Memorials may go to the family's choice. Arrangements were handled by Wherry Mortuary, Tecumseh.
Don L. "Bud" Badberg was born July 2, 1928 in Nebraska City to Carl John and Gladys Dorothy (Brown) Badberg.
Don married Vera Mae Oetken Feb. 20, 1954 in Cook NE. Formerly a resident of Talmage, he moved to Nebraska City seven years ago.
Badberg served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War.
He formerly owned and operated the Badberg Garage and Longhorn Saloon in Talmage, and was a member of Talmage American Legion and Past Chief of the Talmage Fire Department. He loved hunting, fishing and gun collecting.
Preceding him in death were his parents and wife, Vera on May 19, 2005.
Survivors include sons Mike Badberg and wife Colleen, Talmage, Steve Badberg and wife Lori, Pacific Junction, Iowa, Russ Badberg and wife Teena, Talmage; daughters Sherry Votava, Lincoln, Joni Davis and husband Brad, Nebraska City; five grandchildren; one great-grandson; sisters, Betty Jo Gardner and husband Dick, Taft, Calif., and Carol Wilburn and husband Dave, La Mirada, Calif. many other relatives and friends.
Memorial services were held Aug. 7, 2008 at Marshall Funeral Chapel in Nebraska City conducted by Rev. Kenneth Tubbesing. Burial of ashes followed in Fairview Cemetery at Talmage. Military rights were by Talmage American Legion.
A memorial fund has been established for Talmage American Legion and Talmage Fire and Rescue.
Marshall Funeral Chapel of Nebraska City was in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be emailed to marshallfuneral@alltel.net.
Herbert William Stutheit was born on June 18, 1918 to Theodore and Caroline (Meyer) Stutheit at their farm home west of Cook. He was baptized and confirmed at Helena Lutheran Church and was the youngest of six brothers.
Herb suffered from severe asthma so his parents tried to make him comfortable by taking him to climates that were less humid like Chappell, Sugar City, Colo. and Colorado Springs. He went to country school west of Cook, graduated from Cook High School and took college courses at UNL and Peru.
Herb met Willa Jean (Sodman) Kracke and they married on August 14, 1965. They were blessed with two children, Kent Herbert and Kristi Jean. Herb enjoyed playing the piano and organ, was a vocal soloist at many family events, served on the Board of Directors at NLOM and loved to farm.
Herb died on August 5, 2008 at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Lincoln. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Walter, Bernhard and Herman, an infant sister and step-daughter Pam Piper.
He is survived by his wife Willa Jean of Johnson; step-daughter Teresa Hahn and husband Neal of Johnson, son-in-law Gary Piper of Brock, son Kent Stutheit and wife Heather of Rockport, Mo.; daughter Kristi Stutheit and husband Michael McGregor of Plattsmouth; eight grandchildren amd four great-grandchildren; brother Reinhold Stutheit of Lincoln; sisters-in-law LeAnna Frank and husband Lorain "Johnny" of Humboldt and ElDonna Jager and husband Peter of Colorado Springs, Colo.; aunt Lorene Rockemann of Humboldt and many other relatives and friends.
Funeral services were held at the St. James Lutheran (Long Branch) Church, rural Humboldt, on August 8, 2008, with Rev. Amalia Spruth-Janssen officiating.
Organist Carolyn Hahn accompanied congregational hymns.
Pallbearers were Matthew Piper, Jerod Hahn, Patrick Hahn, Tyler Hahn, Jeff Van Winkle and Theodore Stutheit.
Honorary pallbearers were Gary Piper, Neal Hahn, Remmington Hutchison and Michael McGregor. Cathie Peters was the flower assistant.
Interment was in the St. James Lutheran (Long Branch) Cemetery, rural Humboldt.
Memorials may go to the family's choice.
Arrangements by Wherry Mortuary, Tecumseh.
Jeffery Lynn Palmer, son of Glen and Patricia (Allgood) Palmer, was born Aug. 9, 1957 in Auburn. He attended school in Auburn, and graduated from Auburn High School in 1975.
Jeff was married to Amy Hanna, and three sons were born to this union. The couple later divorced.
As a welder, Jeff worked for the local natural gas company and traveled to other job sites, but his longest stint as a welder was at Auburn Consolidated Industries. He also worked for Pawnee Seamless Guttering, and most recently had worked at Magnolia Metal Corporation in Auburn.
In his spare time Jeff enjoyed hunting, fishing, and riding his Harley. He was an avid sports fan, especially when it came to Husker football.
After being diagnosed with cancer, Jeff battled the disease for many months. With his family at his side, he died at his home in Auburn on Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2008 at the age of 50 years, 11 months, and 27 days. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Greg.
Jeff is survived by his sons Cody of Lawrence, Kan., Dylan of Humboldt and Daniel of Bern, Kan.; granddaughter Pyper Palmer; sisters Kim Palmer, Auburn, Kathy and husband Dennis Anderson, Auburn and brother Randy and wife Cheryl Den of MidVale, Utah; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.
Memorial services were held Aug. 9, 2008 at Hemmingsen Funeral Home in Auburn, officiated by Dr. Fred Richart.
Honorary pallbearers were Jeff Spier, Dennis Poskochil, Mike Kimball, Marty Ford, Jim Perez, Jerry Adams, Jeff Henry, LaRue Strayer, and Randy DeFreece.
Hemmingsen Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Eugene F. "Gene" Schutte, 70, Lincoln, died Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2008 in Buffalo County, Ne. He was born Jan. 26, 1938 in Pender to Edward and Lucy (Hinrich) Schutte.
He was a member of the Harley Davidson Owner's Group, American Legion Post #23-Auburn, V.F.W. Post #3606; Veteran of the U.S. Navy and a member of Sheridan Lutheran Church.
Survivors include his wife, Norma, Lincoln; son and daughter-in-law Bruce and Lynn Schutte, Grand Island; daughters and sons-in-law, Kelley and Ken Peterson, Eagle, and Diane and Dave Waters, Lincoln; grandchildren Thomas Schutte, Georg Schutte, Zoe Peterson and Megan Waters; mother, Lucy Suhr, Auburn; sisters and brothers-in-law Edine and Allan Moody, Auburn and Sharen and Stanley Sorensen, LaVista; brothers-in-law and spouses, Dale and Naomi Dettman, Auburn, Loy and Marge Dettman, Stella, Wayne Dettman, Bern, Kan., Weldon and Sharon Dettman, Humboldt, Charles Shrader, Weeping Water; sisters-in-law and spouses, Mildred Buethe, Plattsmouth, Doris and Wayne Shafer, Stella, Eldona Workman, Plattsmouth, and Marlys and Scott DeVries, Lake City, Iowa.
He was preceded in death by his father, Ed Schutte and stepfather Alvin Suhr.
Services were held Aug. 11, 2008 at Sheridan Lutheran Church, Lincoln. Burial followed with military honors at Fairview Cemetery in Lincoln.
Memorials may be left for the family's choice.
Wyuka Funeral Home of Lincoln was in charge of arrangements.