DENISE (SCHNACKER) BUETHE

Denise Lynn (Schnacker) Buethe, 54, of Elk Creek, Nebraska, passed away after losing her short battle with cancer at The Monarch House in Lincoln, Nebraska on Saturday, October 9, 2021. She was born May 15, 1967 in Kearney, Nebraska to Lawrence “Larry” and Nancy (Garringer) Schnacker. Denise grew up in Elm Creek, Nebraska and graduated from Elm Creek High School in 1985. She attended and graduated from Kearney State College with a double major in Criminal Justice and Education. Denise later earned her master’s degree from Concordia University.

On August 28, 2004, Denise was united in marriage to Brad A. Buethe at the Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Kearney, Nebraska. The couple made their home near Elk Creek. Denise was a Behavioral Teacher at ESU#4 and taught previously at Overton Public Schools. She cherished all of her students and fellow teachers. Denise was known as “Nee Nee” to all her nieces and nephews. Her family meant the world to her. Quite often she would get requests for her “famous brownies.” Denise enjoyed taking care of her flowers and plants as well as decorating her home.

Left to cherish her memory are her husband Brad and their spoiled dog Rolo, mother, Nancy Schnacker of Elm Creek, mother-in-law, Linda Buethe of Tecumseh, brother, Jeff Schnacker and wife Laurie of Elm Creek, sisters, Amy Schmidt and husband Will of Kearney and Gina Evans and husband Jason of Broken Bow, brother-in-law, Jeff Buethe of Fort Meyers, Florida and sister-in-law, Lori Buethe of Tecumseh, nieces and nephews, Morgan and Lauren Schnacker, Riley and Cambrie Schmidt, Kinsey and Kacee Evans and Jax Glasgo and great-nieces, Evelynn and Madilynn Bowden.

Denise was preceded in death by her father, Larry Schnacker, older brother, Scotty Schnacker, father-in-law, Ron Buethe and grandparents, Wayne and LaRea Schnacker and Roy and Erma Garringer.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, October 15, 2021 at the St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, rural Elk Creek. A luncheon will immediately follow in the church fellowship hall.

Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. , with family greeting friends from 6-8 p.m. Thursday, October 14, 2021 at the Wherry Mortuary, Tecumseh, Nebraska.

Memorials may be directed to a scholarship fund for high school seniors planning to major in Special Education in Denise’s honor.

Interment will be held at 4:00 p.m. in the Elm Creek Cemetery, Elm Creek, Nebraska.

Online condolences may be left @www.wherrymortuary.com.