Obituaries

Our beloved wife, mother, sister and grandmother, Brenda Joyce Popelka passed away on April 12, 2022 surrounded by her family. Brenda was born September 8, 1945, to Yvonne Miller Reiser and raised by Yvonne and her father Robert Reiser in Mohall, ND. She married the love of her life, Cleon Popelka and the two welcomed their son, Brian in August of 1966. Brian hit the jackpot with Brenda as his mom. The bond they shared remains unmatched. She was his steady anchor. During his childhood, she was the fourth in an impromptu basketball game, the stand-in for a game of poker, the mother to all with a non-judgmental ear. Her family was her ultimate pride and joy. Brenda loved her grandchildren fiercely. She was the protector of Zachary, the sparring partner to Keegan and best friend and NayNay to Gracyn. Of her partners in crime and confidants, none greater than her sister Kathy and daughter-in-law, Kerry. Brenda had a magnetism that became the center of her family. With her quick wit and unwavering loyalty, she was the mother and friend you dream of. Her annual 4th of July party was the celebration that brought friends and family from all over the country. Those that knew her understand, any opportunity to step inside the home and life she created was a celebration. She was the safe place, the warm hug, the hysterical sidekick, the ultimate secret keeper. She was just that good. Brenda was preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Yvonne Reiser, and sister Deanna Baker. She is survived by her loving husband, Cleon Popelka, her son Brian Popelka (Kerry), grandchildren, Zachary Egan-Popelka (Alex), Keegan Parry, Gracyn Sophia Popelka and her siblings, Delilah Ruch, Betty Martin (Calvin), Pat Pfefferkorn (Gene), Bob Reiser (Nancy), John Reiser (Sandy), Kathy Schmidt (Wayne) and many adoring nieces and nephews. Private services will be held.

Janis Jane Tiede Haase was born outside Otoe, Nebraska on November 3, 1934, and passed away on December 9, 2021 in Kingwood, Texas at 87 years of age. Jan grew up on a farm outside of Otoe. After graduating from Nebraska City High School, she met Fred Haase on Central Avenue and married him upon his return from the Navy in 1954. They were blessed with a son, Doug and then 7 years later completed the family with the arrival of Debbi. Jan was a wonderful mom and was always involved in church, bridge, and crafting groups in Nebraska City. In 1972 the family moved to Houston Texas, where she loved working at a flower shop. Jan and Fred moved back to Omaha in 1979, only to return to live in Kingwood Texas two years later. In 1992, Jan was diagnosed with advanced stage breast cancer. She completed a long year of chemotherapy and radiation at MD Anderson Cancer Center, and became an enthusiastic volunteer with the Cancer Network. Jan also was part of MD Anderson’s ad campaign, and her photos still grace the walls of the hospital. Jan was predeceased by her husband of 64 years, Fred in 2018, parents Herbert and Velma Tiede, and sisters Donna Jean Yearsley and Doris June Wurtele. Jan is survived by her son Doug, Houston, TX, daughter Debbi (John), Kingwood, TX; Grandchildren, Jason (Alex) Haase, Northlake, TX, Madeline Hazle MD, San Antonio, TX, and Grant Hazle, Sheridan, WY, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. A memorial and interment service for Fred and Jan will be held at Wyuka Cemetery, on Saturday, April 21 at 10:30 am. Memorial donations may be made to MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX. Full obituary can be found at: https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/kingwood-tx/janis-haase-10481930.

Richard Donald Mougey, age 92 of Union died April 11, 2022 at The Ambassador in Nebraska City. Richard was born October 12, 1929 in Nebraska City and lived in the Union area his entire life. He was adopted as a baby when both of his birth parents died, and he graduated from Union High School where he was active in the alumni for several hears. He married Elinor Jean Fahrlander June 23, 1952 at the First Christian Church in Nebraska City. Richard was a farmer and served in the United States Air Force during the Korean War. He loved reading and hunting. Richard was a member of the Plattsmouth Lodge No. 6, A.F. & A.M., Robert Bernard Roddy American Legion Post No. 235 in Union, and the Gideons in Bellevue.

Fred Haase, age 87 of Kingwood Texas and previously of Nebraska CIty, passed away February 2 at Memorial Hermann Hospital in Houston, TX. Fred was born on July 21, 1930 in Bennet, Nebraska to Henry and Clara (Goos) Haase.

Sharon K. Bates, 75, Nebr.

Carol Ann (Guenther) Wageman, beloved daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, and friend passed away at the age of 85 on Thursday, March 17, 2022. Carol lived a good, long life. She was born to Alvin and Reva Guenther in a small farming community in Nebraska just before Christmas in 1936. She grew up on a farm, living an idyllic life when as a teenager she met her future husband Bill Wageman through amateur radio. Bill and Carol married in September 1954. Their oldest son, Stuart, was born in Nebraska in 1955. The young couple then moved to Los Alamos, New Mexico, where Bill worked for the Los Alamos National (Scientific) Laboratory for over 38 years. Leslie, their daughter, was born in New Mexico in 1958, followed by their youngest son, Steven, in 1960. Carol was primarily a homemaker, although she had several temporary part-time jobs as her children were growing up. The kids really kept her busy in Junior and High School with their many school and social activities. She often said that her favorite times in life revolved around her children during their school years. After all the children left home Bill and Carol traveled the world, eventually visiting dozens of countries and all seven continents. They also made at least one trip to Nebraska every year to visit family and friends. Naturally, they also attended many amateur radio events across the country throughout the years and were known in the amateur radio community for many decades as K5MAT (Bill) and W5TIK (Carol). Carol volunteered as an usher at UNM’s Popejoy Hall in Albuquerque for over 25 years. She was known as being a very stylish woman, and possibly missed her calling as a fashion designer. She loved to sew and created many beautiful outfits over the years. Carol loved animals and always had pets in her home. Carol faced many traumas in her life with grace and courage, always persevering with dignity. She successfully fought cancer twice, leaving her with physical challenges for the rest of her life. She also unexpectedly lost her son Stuart in late 2016, which was the most difficult time of her life. In 2018 she then lost her husband of over 63 years after he suffered a very long battle with Alzheimer’s disease.