Obituaries

Gary Edward Wakenight

Gary Edward Wakenight, age 74, of Oakland, Nebraska passed away Sunday, March 20, 2022 at St. Francis Memorial Hospital in West Point, Nebraska. Gary was born to Bill and Avis Wakenight October 31, 1947 in Omaha, Nebraska. His mom later married Laurence Young and they lived in the Brownville area until moving to Nebraska City. Gary graduated from Nebraska City High School in 1966. While in school, he was active in football, track, and legion baseball. On February 25, 1978, Gary married Jo Ann John in Omaha, Nebraska. They lived in Omaha, before moving to Oakland, Nebraska. He worked in the retail business before retiring from Walmart. Gary was a devoted husband and a very loving brother and uncle, who had a great sense of humor. He loved to do yardwork, and had a yard full of beautiful flowers. He also enjoyed his gardening and would often share his produce with friends and neighbors.

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Pauline C. Kreifels

Pauline C. Kreifels, age 91 of Nebraska City, NE passed away on Friday, March 11, 2022 at Bryan West Medical Center in Lincoln, NE. Pauline Constance Kreifels was born on October 13, 1930 in Nebraska City, NE; the daughter of Anton and Margaret (Kuwitzky) Sasse. She grew up and attended school in Nebraska City, graduating from Nebraska City High School with the Class of 1948. Pauline then attended St. Catherine’s Nursing School in Omaha, NE where she received her Nursing Degree in May of 1952.

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Eldora Lena (Damme) Wellensiek

Eldora Lena (Damme) Wellensiek, 100, of Adams, Nebraska, formerly of Tecumseh, passed away peacefully Saturday, March 19, 2022 at Gold Crest Nursing Home in Adams. Eldora was born on July 17, 1921 and raised on a farm south of Cook, Nebraska. She was the fourth child of Julius and Emma (Niebrugge) Damme. Eldora was baptized August 31, 1921 and later confirmed at St. Paul’s United Church of Christ (Osage). She attended District #21 Stony Point School through the 8th grade. Eldora then helped on the farm and worked in Cook for Elvo Pratt’s Grocery Store and Produce. She married Harold Wellensiek on September 20, 1946 at the Osage Church. The couple made their home in Tecumseh where they lived their entire life.

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Beverly Ann Ehlers-Pickering

Beverly Ann Ehlers-Pickering, 83, of Chester, NJ passed away on Thursday, March 3,2022. Beverly was born on February 10, 1939, in Nebraska City, NE to the late Herbert and Olive Ehlers. She was raised in Nebraska City but lived most of her life in Chatham, Madison, and Chester New Jersey.

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Carl E. Crouse

Carl E. Crouse of Mount Dora, Florida passed away on Tuesday, March 22, 2022 at the age of 88. He was born in Hamburg, Iowa and moved to central Florida in 1982. Carl was the co-owner and salesman of Peterbilt of Central Florida in Winter Garden, which he cofounded in 1991. Carl was an entrepreneur, venturing into other businesses as well. In 2003, he retired and moved to the Country Club of Mount Dora. Carl loved spending time in the mountains in Maggie Valley, where he had a summer home. He was preceded in death by his brother, Duane Crouse in November 2018. Carl is remembered and will be dearly missed by his wife of 22 years, Gretchen; sons, Steve (Linda) Crouse of Clermont, Florida, Terry (Melanie) Crouse of Brandon, Florida and Michael (Judy) Crouse of Simpsonville, South Carolina; daughter, Clara Crouse Glover of Mount Dora; brother, Donald (Lois) Crouse of Hamburg, Iowa; and sister-in-law, Joan Crouse (Duane’s wife) of Tampa, Florida; 12 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren.

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