Arlene D. Peterson
Born: August 29, 1928 Abie, Nebraska
Died: June 4, 2011 Fremont, Nebraska
Funeral Service: Tuesday, June 7, 2011 ~ 2:00 PM
Svoboda Funeral Home
Visitation: Monday, June 6, 2011
6:00-8:00 PM
Svoboda Funeral Home
Memorials: In care of the family
Arlene D. Peterson, age 82, of Valley, NE formerly of Colon, NE passed away Saturday (June 4, 2011) at AJ Merrick Manor in Fremont, NE. Arlene Coufal was born August 29, 1928 in Abie, NE to Jim and Wilma (Votava) Coufal. At a young age the family moved to a farm near Colon, NE. Arlene attended school in Fremont before graduating from Mead High School in 1946.
She married Vernon Konecky in June of 1947, they later divorced. Arlene worked at the Mead Ordnance Plant for a short time before moving to Casper, WY in 1962. While in Casper she graduated from Casper College with a degree in drafting. Arlene worked as a drafter in Casper for many years before moving back to Colon in 1980 after her mother passed away.
Arlene was a loving mother, grandmother and great grandmother and was a former member of St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Wahoo, NE and St. James Catholic Church in Mead, NE.
Arlene was preceded in death by her parents and brother, Bob Coufal. She is survived by her daughter Jacque and husband Greg Wiggins of Fremont, NE, three grandchildren, James and wife Karen Estes of Chugiak, AK, Laura and husband Scott Severson of Hooper, NE, Jolene Pritchett of Fremont, NE, step grandson Ory Wiggins of Fremont, NE, 13 great grandchildren and sister in law, Alyce Coufal of Wahoo, NE.
William F. Van Ampting
Born: March 8, 1923 Bellwood, Nebraska
Died: May 17, 2011 Wahoo, Nebraska
Memorial Mass: Thursday, May 26, 2011 ~ 10:30 AM
Saunders Medical Center Long Term Care Chapel
Wahoo, Nebraska
Interment at St. Bonaventure Cemetery
Columbus, Nebraska
William F. VanAmpting, age 88 of Wahoo, NE, formerly of Lincoln, NE, died May 17, 2011 at the Saunders Medical Center in Wahoo. He was born March 8, 1923 in Bellwood, NE to Anton and Dora (Hendricksen) VanAmpting. He grew up near Bellwood and attended school there through the eighth grade. William farmed at Bellwood, David City and Platte Center, NE. William was married to Maryce Lenerts and together they had two sons and two daughters. He moved to Omaha and worked as a janitor at an Omaha school. He later lived in Lincoln, NE and worked as a janitor at Abel Hall at the University of Nebraska.
William is survived by a sister and brother in law, Rosemary and Paul Brucker of Schuyler, NE, brothers and sister in law, Tony Van Ampting, Tucson, AZ, Paul and Gladys Van Ampting, Chalmette, LA, brother in law, Alan Pokorny, Lincoln, NE, and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Maryce, sisters, Dorothy Pokorny and Mary Taylor, and brother Francis "Van" Van Ampting.
Betty J. Tvrdy
Born: April 22, 1942 Bee, Nebraska
Died: May 15, 2011 Lincoln, Nebraska
Mass of Christian Burial: Saturday, May 21, 2011 ~ 10:30 AM
St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church, Wahoo, Nebraska
Interment at St. Mary's Cemetery, Davey, Nebraska
Visitation
Scripture Service & Rosary: Friday, May 20, 2011
Visitation: 4:00-7:00 PM
Scriptural Service & Rosary ~ 7:00 PM
St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church
Memorials: In care of the family for a future designation
Betty J. Tvrdy was born near Bee, NE on April 22, 1942 to Edward and Theresa (Kunasek) Hladky. She was raised on a farm near Bee with her siblings, Reynold, Ed, Ellen and JoAnn. Betty graduated from Seward High School and attended the University of Nebraska in Lincoln.
On August 14, 1965, Betty was united in marriage to Eugene J. Tvrdy at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Bee. They made their home in Seward initially and moved to their farm west of Ceresco in 1967 to raise their family. On the farm, she attended to her beloved animals, especially her Jersey cows and Californian rabbits. She was an active farm wife and devoted mother and grandmother, always providing for others. Betty loved to bake, garden and sew; a gift she passed onto her children and grandchildren. Along with her husband Gene, Betty was a 4-H leader for 35 years, impacting the lives of many youth. She was a parishioner of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Davey and a member of the Altar Society. She also served as the Saunders County Fair Rabbit Superintendent.
Betty is survived by her husband Eugene; children and spouses, Kim Hoxie, Palatine, IL, Pam and Joe Cleary, Cedar Rapids, IA, Ann and Jim Dobesh, Seward, NE, Dale and Darcie, Tampa, FL, Gail and Joe Loxterkamp, Beatrice, NE, Greg and Laura, Omaha, NE, Karen and Scott Nickson, Iwakuni, Japan, Kathy and Koussi Occansey, Lincoln, Sara Tvrdy, Lincoln, Susan Tvrdy and Monica Tvrdy, both Omaha; 22 grandchildren; 2 great grandsons; brothers, Reynold (Millie) Hladky, Bee, NE, Ed (Marilyn) Hladky, Seward; sisters Ellen (Larry) Jiskra, Leawood, KS, JoAnn Hladky, Seward. She was preceded in death by her parents.
James T. "J.T." Smith
Born: August 2, 1942 Oakland, Nebraska
Died: May 12, 2011 Wahoo, Nebraska
Mass of Christian Burial: Monday, May 16, 2011 ~ 10:30 AM
St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church, Wahoo, Nebraska
Interment with Military Honors
American Legion Post #82 & VFW Post # 4502
St. Francis Cemetery, Wahoo, Nebraska
Visitation & Rosary: Sunday, May 15, 2011
Visitation: 5:00-7:00 PM
Rosary ~ 7:00 PM
St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church
Memorials: St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church or
To the family for donation to pancreatic cancer research
James T. "J.T." Smith was born August 2, 1942 in Oakland, NE to John W. and Grace (Gatewood) Smith. Jim grew up on a farm near Lyons, NE and attended Jefferson Elementary School. He later graduated from Lyons High School in 1960. He attended Wayne State College for one year before joining the Navy in 1961. Jim was stationed on the destroyer USS Boston in the Atlantic Fleet with a Mediterranean tour. He and his crew were involved in the Cuban Missile Crisis blockade. After being discharged from the Navy in 1966, he attended Wayne State studying biology. On May 6, 1967, Jim was married to Irene Fisher by Fr. Murray at St. Theresa Catholic Church in North Reading, MA. He began working as a horse trainer, and he and Irene traveled all over the midwest going to Omaha, Chicago, St. Louis, Denver and many other cities. The traveling was difficult once their children were born and in 1976, Jim began to work for Hull & Smith Horse Vans in Ashland, NE. He drove a truck carrying thoroughbred horses throughout the country and also tattooed horses for identification. After that he drove trucks for Pamida Corporation for 21 years. In recent years, he worked for the Waverly Co-op, Cedar Ridge Farms and Hoovestol, Inc. He also drove a school bus for Bishop Neumann High School.
Jim passed away peacefully at his home on May 12, 2011 at the age of 68 years. He was a parishioner at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church, a member of VFW Post #4502 and American Legion Post #82 and he had been a member of the Senior Knights Men's Group of St. Mary's Church in Ashland. Jim had also been the Nebraska Truck Driving Champion several times. Jim loved sports, coaching and fishing. He never missed one of his children's sporting events.
Jim is survived by his wife Irene; children and spouses Bill and Tina Smith, Ankeny, IA, Kris Smith, Omaha, NE, Paul T. and Maharlika, Allen, TX; mother Grace Smith, Wahoo; grandchildren Jacob, Marina, Reagan, Winston and Hailey Smith; brother and sister in law Paul Dee and Sharon Smith, Lincoln, NE; many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father John W. Smith.
Robert L. "Bob" Schense, Sr.
Born: February 19, 1933 Cologne, Minnesota
Died: April 28, 2011 Wahoo, Nebraska
Mass of Christian Burial: Wednesday, May 4, 2011 ~ 11:00 AM
St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church, Wahoo, Nebraska
Interment with Military Honors
American Legion Post #82 & VFW Post # 4502
St. Francis Cemetery, Wahoo, Nebraska
Visitation & Rosary: Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Visitation: 4:00-8:00 PM
Rosary ~ 7:00 PM
Svoboda Funeral Home
Memorials: In care of the family
Robert L. "Bob" Schense, Sr., age 78, loving husband, father and grandfather passed away peacefully at home in Wahoo, NE on April 28, 2011. He was born in Cologne, MN on February 19, 1933 to Otto and Anna Schense. He grew up in the Cologne and Young America, MN area. He enlisted in the US Army on September 13, 1950 in Minneapolis, MN and served until Sept. 11, 1953. He reenlisted in the Air Force on October 27, 1953, and was stationed at Lincoln, Scribner, Mead Ordinance Plant and Amarillo, TX. Most of his service duties were at Offutt Air Force Base in Bellevue where he was discharged on October 31, 1970. Bob was united in marriage to Mary Ann Vitek on October 16, 1954 at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Wahoo. After his career in the Air Force, he became a police officer with the Wahoo Police Department where he worked for over 20 years. Bob was a parishioner at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church and a member of the Knights of Columbus Council #1833. He was a member of the VFW Post #4502, where he had served as commander, the American Legion Post #82 and the F.O.E. Aerie #2971. He was a life member of the Nebraska Police Officers Association. Bob loved being outdoors and hunting and fishing. He also enjoyed playing cards and being with his children and grandchildren.
Robert is survived by his wife Mary Ann; sons and daughters in law Bob Jr. and Donna Schense, Omaha, Don and Lynn Schense, Papillion, Jeff and Kaye Schense, Omaha; grandchildren Aunna Nogosek, Meghann Schense, Kylie, Kelsey and Jack Schense; numerous nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by his parents; brothers Allan, Dallas and Marvin; sisters Betty and Shirley.
Adeline A. Zima
Born: July 15, 1924 Wahoo, Nebraska
Died: April 28, 2011 Hooper, Nebraska
Mass of Christian Burial: Tuesday, May 3, 2011 ~ 10:00 AM
St. James Catholic Church, Mead, Nebraska
Interment ~ Sunrise Cemetery, Wahoo, Nebraska
Visitation & Rosary: Monday, May 2, 2011
Visitation: 4:00-8:00 PM
Rosary ~ 7:00 PM
Svoboda Funeral Home
Family will be present after 6:00 PM
Memorials: In care of the family for future designation
Adeline A. Zima was born in Wahoo, Nebraska on July 15, 1924. She was the youngest of seven children of Frank and Mary (Hladik) Spicka .Adeline was raised on a farm southwest of Wahoo, NE where she attended a nearby country school before attending Wahoo High School. She later graduated from beauty school in Lincoln, NE. Adeline was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother who enjoyed music and nature.
Adeline lived and worked in California and Idaho before moving back to Nebraska and marrying John J. Zima on September 24, 1959 at the St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Wahoo, NE. The couple lived southeast of Cedar Bluffs until moving to their farm southwest of Mead, NE in 1962. Adeline passed away on April 28, 2011 at the Hooper Care Center, Hooper, NE.
Adeline was preceded in death by her parents, husband, brothers, Frank, Adolph, Henry and Emil Spicka, sisters, Helen Ourada and Lillian Kavan, brothers in law, sisters in law, 2 nieces and a nephew. She is survived by her children and spouses, Patti and Steve Cernin of Wahoo, NE, MaryAnn and Brad Petersen of Herman, NE, Randy and Karla Zima of Mead, NE, 6 grandchildren, Samantha and Rod Knapp, Jacob Cernin, Ashley and Mike Blohm, Heather Petersen and special friend Steve Fastenau, Dane Petersen and special friend, Katie Helgenberger, Cole Zima, 6 great grandchildren, Kameron Knapp, Brooklynn, Peyton and Brynn Blohm, Sophia Petersen, Skyler Fastenau, sister in law, Rose (Spicka) Keelan of Lincoln, NE and many other relatives.
Rosemary C. Ruzicka
Born: August 31, 1923 Wahoo, Nebraska
Died: April 27, 2011 Wahoo, Nebraska
Graveside Service: Monday, May 2, 2011 ~ 2:00 PM
Sunrise Cemetery, Wahoo, Nebraska
Visitation: Sunday, May 1, 2011
1:00-4:00 PM
Svoboda Funeral Home
Rosemary C. Ruzicka was born on August 31, 1923 in Wahoo, Nebraska to John F. and Ruth (McDuffee) Arp. She grew up near Waterloo, Nebraska and as a young girl worked for the J.C. Robinson Seed Company in Waterloo. She graduated from Waterloo High School and attended the Methodist School of Nursing in Omaha. Before her marriage to George Ruzicka on May 20, 1950 in Yutan, Nebraska, Rosemary worked at the old Wahoo Hospital and at the office of Dr. Lauvetz. She also worked for Drs. Roy and Jack Swanson until taking some time off to raise the children. She returned to work for the Swansons in the 1970's and stayed until they retired. Through all those years, Rosemary helped her husband with his business, George W. Ruzicka Construction, by doing the bookkeeping and collections. Rosemary passed away at her home in Wahoo on April 27, 2011 at the age of 87 years. Rosemary enjoyed hobby farming and gardening. She enjoyed raising ducks, chickens and geese. She used to do a lot of cooking, baking and sewing and she was active in helping her children with their 4-H animals.
Rosemary is survived by a son Harold Thomas Ruzicka, Wahoo; daughters Georgina Ruzicka, Wahoo, Cynthia (Richard) Mahlin, Lincoln, NE, and Annette Ruzicka, Wahoo; grandchildren, Brian, Stephanie, Kyle, Kevin, Matthew and Jonathan Mahlin; great grand daughter Alexa Mahlin; sister LeAnna (Jule) Anderson, Wahoo; sisters in law Helen Ruzicka, Colon, NE, Adeline Dwyer, Cedar Bluffs, NE; nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by parents, husband George W. Ruzicka and sister Darlene Doose.
Delbert E. Otte
Born: May 24, 1925 Morse Bluff, Nebraska
Died: April 8, 2011 Wahoo, Nebraska
Mass of Christian Burial: Tuesday, April 12, 2011 ~ 10:00 AM
St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church, Wahoo, Nebraska
Interment with Military Honors
American Legion Post #308
St. Francis Cemetery, Wahoo, Nebraska
Visitation: Scripture Service & Rosary: Monday, April 11, 2011
Visitation: 4:00-7:00 PM
Scripture Service & Knights of Columbus Rosary ~ 7:00 PM
St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church
Memorials: St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church
Saunders County Catholic Schools
Delbert E. Otte, age 85 of Wahoo, NE died April 8, 2011 at South Haven Living Center in Wahoo. He was born in Morse Bluff, NE May 24, 1925, to George and Emma (Eicke) Otte. He grew up in the Morse Bluff area and attended District 15 country school, Morse Bluff Elementary School and later graduated from North Bend High School. Delbert enlisted in the US Army Air Corp on March 14, 1944 and served until December 17, 1945 with a rank of Corporal. On September 14, 1948, he married Mildred Matous at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Prague, NE. They lived at Webster, NE until 1955 when they moved to a farm near Whiting, IA. They lived at Yutan, NE from 1960 to 1962 and at Valparaiso, NE from 1962 to 1964. In 1964 they moved to Wahoo where Delbert started Otte Oil Company in association with Standard Oil Company. In 1975, his company became independent and became Otte Oil and Propane Service.
Delbert was a parishioner at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church, a member of Knights of Columbus Council 1833, American Legion Post #308 and F.O.E. Aerie 2971. He was a recent recipient of the Darryl Zanuck Award. Delbert is survived by his wife Mildred; children and spouses, John Otte, Davey, NE, Mike and Lynn Otte, Memphis, NE, Tim and Shannon Otte, Mark and Marsha Otte, Steve and Kim Otte, Janet and Rick Ahrens, Chris and Marcia Otte, all Wahoo, Julie and Todd Morrissey, Yutan, NE, Jennifer Otte, Wahoo; daughter in law Sandy Otte, Wahoo; 35 grandchildren; 21 great grandchildren; sisters in law Doris, Esther and Mary Ann. He was preceded in death by his parents; son Daniel Otte; daughter Mary Elizabeth Otte; brothers Ray, Mervin and George Otte; sister Annette Mahrt.
