HARLAN D. BOHLING
Harlan Dean Bohling, the fourth of seven children of Clarence and Ottine (Schlange) Bohling, was born on the family farm originally owned and built by his grandfather, Wm. Bohling, in 1909 and later owned by his father near Auburn, Nebraska. He was baptized on July 1, 1928, and confirmed March 29, 1942, at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Hickory Grove. Harlan received his education at Hickory Grove School, District 27. After attending one year of high school, his father needed him to help farm during the war. This is how he received his education about farming, growing crops and raising livestock. As a younger man he was in 4H and raised his own livestock to show at the County Fair.
Harlan met Ruth Gebers and they started dating. He always said she was right on the way to town, so he didn’t have to go out of his way to pick her up. “Very convenient!” On May 26, 1950, he married Ruth Gebers. To this union 5 children were born: Deborah, Sandra, Rebecca, Eric, and Jonathan. Harlan and Ruth lived 1¾ miles east of his parents’ home and farmed there for 10 years. When his parents retired, Harlan and his family moved to the home place where he was born. He worked hard and supported his growing family.
Harlan was a faithful member of his church his entire life. He enjoyed singing in the choir and quartet for many years. He served on the cemetery committee and on the church council several times. Harlan was active in the Lutheran Brotherhood men’s group for several years and also served on the District 28 School Board. He enjoyed playing softball when he was a young man, and played ball with kids and taught them how to play. He loved his family and enjoyed being a Grandpa to his grandchildren.
After a slow decline in health the past several years Harlan moved to the Good Samaritan Society in Auburn. It was there Jesus called him home (he commented at one point he thought maybe God had forgotten to get him) on Sat-urday, July 30, 2023, having reached the age of 95 years, 1 month, and 16 days. Harlan was preceded in death by his parents Clarence and Ottine, wife Ruth, brother and sister-in-law Orvall and Edith Bohling, sisters and brothers-in-law Mildred and Norman Gerdes, Verna Mae and Glenn Koehler, Helen and Otto Volker, and brother-in-law Lloyd Rathke, as well as Ruth’s sisters and their husbands Marie and Wilbert Oestmann, Rosalee and Robert DeYoung, and Mildred and Pearle Gerdes.
Harlan’s survivors include his daughters and sons-inlaw Deborah and Steve Thilliander of Omaha, Sandra Wilson of Auburn, Rebecca and Doug Lueders of Johnson; sons and daughters-inlaw Eric and Loli Bohling of Auburn, and Jon and Susan Bohling of Lincoln; 15 grandchildren; 20 great grandchildren; sisters and brother-in-law Marge and Willard Kuhlmann of Auburn, Carol Rathke of Solon, IA; other relatives and friends.
A funeral service, officiated by Rev. Paul Lillenas, was Friday, August 4, 2023, at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Hickory Grove near Auburn. Deanne Gerking and Sandy Wilson were accompanists for congregational hymns and a solo by Christina Lillenas. Casket bearers were Scott Thialliander, Brett Wilson, Joel Wilson, Adam Lueders, Grant Bohling, Blake Wewel, and Kevin Kuhlmann. Honorary bearers were Sarh Steenhoek, Wendy Sewell, Hannah Wilson, Stephanie Thorin, Erica Alexander, Stefhani Bohling, Melissa Pierpoint, Rachel Bohling, and Alexandra Bohling. Burial followed in the church cemetery.
Services were entrusted to Hemmingsen Funeral Home of Auburn.