LOIS E. BOHLKEN
Lois Elaine (Marshall) Bohlken, daughter of George and Rosena Wilhelmine (Badberg) Marshall, was born March 10, 1930 at home on the family farm in Johnson County, Nebraska. She was one of eight children born to this marriage. Lois attended rural school at spring Creek School and graduated from Tecumseh High School in 1947. After high school Lois moved to Lincoln, Nebraska and worked at the Elgin Watch Factory.
Lois met her future husband, Vern Bohlken, at a dance when she was introduced to him by his cousin Floyd Bohlken. Lois and Vern were united in marriage at Pastor Hubbell’s home in Lincoln on November 6, 1951. Their union was blessed with three children: Virginia, Joan, and Randy. Lois and Vern lived on farms west of Brock, Nebraska for 62 years.
After her marriage, Lois was baptized at Trinity Lutheran Church in Talmage, Nebraska which later became Faith Lutheran Church. She was a faithful member, belonging to the Dorcas Circle and Quilting Circle. She cherished her time making quilts with her fellow church women.
Lois was a lifetime member of Byron Holtgrewe American Legion Auxiliary and served as President. She also was a 50+ year member of an Otoe County Extension Club and looked forward to the monthly meetings and social gatherings. More than anything, Lois loved attending the many football, basketball, baseball and other sporting events and activities of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was an excellent baker and noted for her dinner rolls and noodles at family gatherings.
In 2013 Lois moved to Terrace Heights in Auburn, Nebraska. She moved to Ridgeview Terrace in Tecumseh in May 2016 and entered Good Samaritan Society-Auburn in August 2016. She relished her time there, going to activities and always visiting with staff and residents with a smile. A 90th birthday celebration was planned for family, but due to COVID-19 it was cancelled and families could not visit.
It was at Good Sam in Auburn that Lois passed away the evening of Friday, August 7, 2020. She had reached the age of 90 years, 4 months, and 28 days.
She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, siblings Lucille Ragon, Melvin Marshall, Bernice Adams, Leland Marshall, Avis Neemann, Norma Armknecht and Leo Marshall; brothers- and sisters-in-law William and Lucille Bohlken and Edna and Norbert Grundman; and two great-grandsons Kadan DeBuse and Nicholas Rathbone.
Those left to mourn her passing include her children and their spouses Virginia and Jim Baack of Lincoln; Joan and Lavon Knippelmeyer of Johnson; Randy and Cindy Bohlken of Geneva; grandchildren, their spouses and children Amy and Todd DeBuse, Erika, Kyra, Easton, Kendall, and Kylie; Renae and Andy Ernesti, Cassie, Cevahn, Carter, and Blake; Kurt and Leslie Ottemann, Ava, Leo, Ellie, and Quinten; Cody Baack; Brian and Christina Baack, Mikaela, Arianna, Amanda, Dylan, and Jaxson; Jeff and Lexie Baack and Beckett; Jason and Stacy Knippelmeyer, Dalton and Laney; Travis and Janelle Knippelmeyer, Natalie and Kasie; Holly and Eric Hawley, Zachary, Tate, Cooper, and Cali; Taryn and Wade Miller; Riley and Stephanie Bohlken and Dax; three great-great-grandchildren; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
A memorial service, officiated by Rev. Kate Woolf, was Wednesday, August 12, 2020 at Faith Lutheran Church in Talmage. Rita Ruenholl was accompanist for solos by Rev. Woolf. Amy DeBuse was urnbearer. Honorary bearers were Renae Ernesti, Kurt Ottemann, Cody Baack, Brian Baack, Jeff Baack, Jason Knippelmeyer, Travis Knippelmeyer, Holly Hawley, Taryn Miller, and Riley Bohlken. Burial of ashes followed in Grant Evergreen Cemetery near Talmage.
Services were entrusted to Hemmingsen Funeral Home of Auburn.