Obituaries

+ Obituary +

Burnell Von Seggern departed this life on February 25, 2017, in Creighton, Nebraska at the age of 76. He was born March 2, 1940, in Fremont, Nebraska, to Arthur and Ella (Wobken) Von Seggern. He was baptized at St. John’s Lutheran Church (Cuming County Line). The family moved to Venus in 1941. He attended Venus District 44 and graduated from the eighth grade. Burnell was confirmed at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Venus in 1954. He attended Creighton High School and graduated with the class of 1957. After high school, Burnell joined the Nebraska National Guard (1957-1964), and farmed with his father Art Von Seggern.

On September 18, 1960, he married Virginia A. Johnson at Zion Lutheran Church in Creighton, Nebraska. Burnell and Virginia were blessed with three children, David J., Kay R., and Susan L. They lived next to the Venus store, north of Orchard, Nebraska, all their married life.

Burnell was always an active member of St. Paul Lutheran Church, where he held nearly all church offices. He also served as the District President of the Nebraska Lutheran Laymen’s League from 2007 to 2010, and was a 12 year member of the Nebraska District LCMS Board of Directors, serving from 1991-2003.

Burnell is survived by his wife, Virginia of 56 years; son, David (Yvonne) of Creighton; daughter, Susan (Brad) Krutsinger of Colorado Springs, CO; grandchildren, Allyson Von Seggern of Phoenix, Arizona, Aaron Von Seggern of Wayne, NE, Seth Hincker and Tessa Hincker of Lincoln, NE, Kimberly Krutsinger of Jacksonville, AL, Kessandra Krutsinger and Kaden Krutsinger of Colorado Springs; brother, Dale (Kristy) Von Seggern of Columbus, NE; sisters, Joanne Falter of Norfolk, NE and Betty (Lowell) Poppe of Scribner, NE; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Art and Ella Von Seggern; a daughter and son-in-law, Kay and Stephen Hincker; brother, Dennis Von Seggern; sisters-in-law, Irene and Marlene Von Seggern; and brother-in-law, Dwayne Falter.

Memorials may be directed to Mission Central for missionary support in his memory, the Nebraska District LLL, or the Lutheran Hour.

Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, March 4, 2017, at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Orchard. Reverend Marcel Kohlmeyer will officiate, with burial in Orchard City Cemetery. Visitation will be Friday, March 3, 2017 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Brockhaus Funeral Home in Creighton, with a 7:00 p.m. Prayer Service. Pastors from the Nebraska District who attend the funeral are requested to announce themselves to the ushers.

+ OBITUARY +

Mrs. Lois Ruth (Neunaber) Going, widow of the Reverend Roland W. Going, departed this life on Tuesday, September 27, 2016, in Grand Island, Nebraska, at the age of 92. She was born January 26, 1924, to the Rev. Herman and Emma (Sommer) Neunaber at Monterey, Minnesota. She was baptized February 6, 1924, by her father at Trinity Lutheran Church, Monterey (now Trimont). Lois received her elementary education at Trimont School and St. John’s Lutheran School, Rosemount, Minnesota. She was confirmed by her father at St. John’s Lutheran Church on March 21, 1937. Her Confirmation verse was John 10:27-28. She attended high school at Rosemount and graduated from Central High School, Minneapolis, Minnesota, in 1941.

After working at various office jobs in Minneapolis, Wasau, Wisconsin, and Springfield, Illinois, she was united in marriage to Roland Walter Going on June 13, 1948, at Trinity Lutheran Church, Springfield, Illinois. She moved with her husband to northern Minnesota where he served as a missionary, later moving to Iowa, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, and Nebraska as they served congregations of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. She was an organist for worship services at many of the churches they served, as well as at the Nebraska Veterans Home in Grand Island, where her husband served as chaplain. She taught a number of piano students, composed music, and worked as church and school secretary at St. John’s Lutheran Church when they lived at Chaska, Minnesota. She and Rev. Going were also charter members in the development of Lutheran High School in Mayer, Minnesota.

In 1977 they moved to Cairo, Nebraska, where her husband served Christ Lutheran Church until retirement in 1986 when they moved to Grand Island and joined Peace Lutheran Church. She was a member of the Altar Guild, Shalom Society, Ruth Circle, and LWML. She was also a charter member in the development of Heartland Lutheran High School in Grand Island.

Lois is survived by four daughters, Linda (Walter) Varnes, Nampa, Idaho; Carol (Michael) Robinson, Grand Island; Dr. Wendy (Dennis) McCarty, Grand Island; Sharon (Randal) Forst, Winona, Minnesota; three sons, Dr. Wayne Going, Grand Island; Ronald (Susan) Going, Billings, Montana; and Glenn Going, Winona, Minnesota; 17 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Shirley Neunaber, Lubbock, Texas; and sister-in-law, Muriel Going, Cedarburg, Wisconsin.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband; two brothers, the Rev. Dr. Herman Neunaber and the Rev. Elmer Neunaber; and a sister, Norma Schultz.

The funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, October 10, 2016, at Peace Lutheran Church, Grand Island. Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 9, at the church. Interment will be at the Westlawn Memorial Park Cemetery.

Words of comfort and kindness may be left for the family at www.giallfaiths.com.

Mrs. Elsie Ida (Roschke) Reith, widow of the Reverend Ferdinand H.J. Reith, departed this life on Sunday, September 25, 2016, in Seward, Nebraska, at the age of 100. She was born December 26, 1915, in the parsonage of Immanuel Lutheran Church, southwest of Waverly, Missouri, to the Rev. John T. and Hedwig (Demetrio) Roschke. On January 1, 1916, she was baptized by her father. Other children in the family were Carl, Edgar, and Wilma (Reimler).

In 1917, her father accepted a call to St. John Lutheran Church, northeast of Cole Camp, Missouri. There she attended a parochial school taught by her father, and was confirmed by him on May 12, 1929. In 1935, she graduated from Cole Camp High School. After attending Central Business College in Sedalia, Missouri, she worked for the Lutheran Hour in St. Louis, Missouri.

On June 14, 1937, she was married to Rev. Ferdinand Reith and they lived in Lutheran parishes served by Ferdinand in Deloit, Iowa; Burt, Iowa; California, Missouri; and LaGrange, Missouri. In the fall of 1974 they moved to Seward, Nebraska, where they lived in retirement the rest of their lives together until Ferdinand’s death in 2001. Elsie and her husband attended St. John Lutheran Church, where she assisted with the lunch program at St. John Lutheran School. She was an active member of the St. John’s Ladies Aid, for whom she helped serve meals at many functions, sang in their choir, and visited the elderly in area nursing homes. She attended the church quilting group, a woman’s Bible class, and the Concordia Guild, with whom she baked many cakes for students. She also volunteered with the Lutheran Large Print Ministry.

Elsie was the last of her generation in her family and is survived by one daughter, Anita (Rev. Eugene) Stohs, Shawnee, Kansas; two sons, Dr. Louis J. Reith, Seward, and Dr. Paul (Roxanne) Reith, Rockford, Illinois; four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews, and many friends.

The funeral service was held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 1, 2016, at St. John Lutheran Church in Seward. Interment was at the Greenwood Cemetery, Seward, Nebraska.

The Reverend Robert W.F. Harms, pastor emeritus, Grand Island, Nebraska, departed this life on Thursday, September 8, 2016, at the age of 94. He was born in Ambur North Arcot District in South India on January 7, 1922, to John and Eva (Miller) Harms. As a young boy, Robert’s family lived in India for his first six years. Upon returning to the United States, his family moved to Meadow Grove, Nebraska. He attended school in Battle Creek and Lyons and then attended St. John’s College in Winfield, Kansas, graduating in 1941. For a short time, he taught school in Garfield, Minnesota, and Norfolk, Nebraska. In 1947 he graduated from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, Missouri. On June 22, 1947, he was united in marriage to Elinor M. (Tad) Eggen at Christ Lutheran Church, Norfolk, Nebraska.

Pastor Harms served the following congregations during his pastoral ministry: Trinity, Lebanon, Missouri (1947-1950); St. Paul, Bridgeport, Nebraska (1950-1955); Mt. Calvary, Bayard, Nebraska (1954-1955); Zion, Pierce, Nebraska (1955-1964); Zion, Hastings, Nebraska (1964-1975); and Zion, Harvester (St. Charles), Missouri (1975-1990). In 1990 Pastor Harms retired and he and his wife moved to Grand Island where he served as assistant pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church from 1990-1999.

Over the years, Pastor Harms served as circuit counselor in the Northern Nebraska District and also as Second Vice-President. In the Southern Nebraska District, he served on several committees and, when the Northern and Southern Nebraska Districts were combined into one Nebraska District, he served as First Vice-President for five years (1970-1975).

Pastor Harms is survived by one daughter, Rochelle Sassmann; one son, Daniel Graney; two brothers, Gerhard Harms and Walter Harms; two sisters, Dorothy Schlecht and Eunice Asmus; six grandchildren and several great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Tad; son, Bret Harms; daughters, Constance Halderman and Carol Howell; and brother, Rev. Paul Harms.

The funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, September 13, 2016, at Trinity Lutheran Church, Grand Island, Nebraska. Visitation will be from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. on Monday, September 12, at All Faiths Funeral Home in Grand Island. Interment will be at Westlawn Memorial Park Cemetery.

Memorials are suggested to Trinity Lutheran Church and School or Heartland Lutheran School in Grand Island. Online condolences may be sent to www.giallfaiths.com.

Ronald John Royuk, Commissioned Minister—Teacher Emeritus, departed this life on August 15, 2016, in Seward, Nebraska. He was born on June 17, 1941, in Fremont, Nebraska, to John. and Esther Hoffman Royuk. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and School in Arlington, NE. He attended Concordia Lutheran High School and Concordia Teacher’s College in Seward, NE. He graduated from Concordia Teachers College (now University), Seward, in 1963, and received a Masters Degree from Case Wester Reserve University in Cleveland, OH in 1969.

He met his life’s partner, Elaine Hummel of Fairbury, NE at Concordia Lutheran High. They were married at Immanuel, Daykin, NE on July 27, 1963. Throughout his career he served as a youth director, organist, teacher, music director, principal and executive director. Congregations and schools served include: Shore Have, Euclid, OH; Bethany, Parma, OH; First, Knoxville, TN; Concordia, Tomball, TX; MLHS, Northrop, MN; and LHS, Metairie, LA; retiring in June of 2006 in Seward, NE. All three of their children and their spouses are part of the Concordia University legacy having graduated from Concordia University and entered the teaching vocation.

Throughout his career, he was always active and held offices in the Lutheran Education Association (LEA); served on the Board for Parish Services for the LCMS; and was awarded the Church Worker Alumnus of the Year Award for Concordia University, Seward.

His faith in Jesus Christ was evident in his life with family, work and friends. His passion was Lutheran Christian Education and his hobby was music. He served various churches as organist for more than 30 years. His theme through life was, “God is Good, All the Time. All the Time, God is Good!” Praise the Lord!

Mr. Royuk is survived by his wife, Elaine (Humel) Royuk of Seward, NE; Sons, Brent (Sandra) Royuk of Seward and Brad Royuk of Baltimore, MD; Daughter, Beth (Harold) Pester of Seward; grandchildren: Rachel, Alicia, Daniel & Anna Royuk and Tara & Tim Pester; sisters, Beverly Greunke of Arlington, NE and Linda (Paul) Staros of Lincoln, NE; sister-in-law, Marlys Smith of Overland Park, KS; many nieces, nephews, cousins and special friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother Dick and wife Gloria; brothers-in-law, Lowell Hummel, Lyle Greunke, and Jim Smith.

Visitation will be held at Volzke Funeral Home in Seward, NE on Friday, August 19, 2016, from 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with family greeting friends from 6:30-8:00 p.m. The funeral service will be held Saturday, August 20, 2016, at St. John, Seward at 10:00 a.m. Interment is at St. Paul’s Lutheran Cemetery in Arlington, NE at 3:30 p.m.

Memorials in care of Concordia University Lutheran Church Worker Scholarship Fund or St. John Lutheran Church and School in Seward.

Mrs. Lovita M. (Keesler) Hinners, wife of the Reverend Greg Hinners, Axtell, Nebraska, departed this life on Saturday, August 13, 2016, at the age of 59. She was born May 17, 1957, in Kearney, Nebraska, to Ivan D. and Isla M. (Larsen) Keesler. She attended Kearney High School and graduated with the class of 1974. She then attended Kearney State College and received a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Economics. Lovita later joined the Air Force and served her country from 1980-1990. She worked as a CNA from 1994-1999 and then was employed by Wal-Mart until the time of her death. Lovita enjoyed gardening, baking, meteorology, crocheting, sewing, and reading. She was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Kearney and was also active in 4-H.

On August 16, 1986, she was united in marriage to Gregory S. Hinners at the Riverdale Christian Church. Pastor Hinners served the congregations of Concordia, Cresbard, and Immanuel, Wecota, South Dakota, from 1999-2011 and is currently serving the congregations of Zion, Crookston, and Grace, Merriman, Nebraska.

Lovita is survived by her husband, Rev. Greg Hinners of Axtell; two daughters, Ann Hinners and Beth Hinners, both of Kearney; one son, Michael Hinners of Kearney; brother, Bill (Karen) Keesler of Kearney; and sister, Mary (Alan) Deterding of Kearney. She was preceded in death by her parents.

The funeral service will be held at Zion Lutheran Church, Kearney, Nebraska, on Saturday, August 20, 2016, at 10:00 a.m. Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, August 19, at Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl Funeral and Cremation Services in Kearney and one hour prior to services at the church on Saturday. Interment will be in the Riverdale Cemetery with military honors.

Condolences may be sent to Rev. Greg Hinners, PO Box 116, Axtell, Nebraska 68924, or visit www.hlmkfuneral.com to leave a memory of condolence.

Mrs. Dolores R. (Schneider) Beckmann, widow of the Rev. Roy A. Beckmann, Sr., departed this life on July 3, 2016, in Lincoln, Nebraska. She was born on October 22, 1925, in St. Louis, Mo., to Erwin L. and Anna (Busse) Schneider. She graduated from high school in St. Louis, and attended Harris Teacher College and St. Louis Business College. On Sept. 16, 1951, she married the Rev. Roy A. Beckmann at Hope Lutheran Church in St. Louis. The couple moved to various cities in Colorado and in Nebraska, where Roy was called to minister to congregations. In 1965, Dolores and Roy moved to North Bend, Neb. Dolores worked at the North Bend Eagle and then was the North Bend City Clerk for 25 years, until her retirement in 1996. Dolores moved to Lincoln in 1998 to be close to family.

Dolores was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Lincoln and was a former member at St. Peter Lutheran Church in North Bend. While her husband was an active pastor, she was a member of the Ladies Aid, Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, served as a Sunday school teacher and member of the Piecemakers Quilting Group. She was a certified volunteer in Braille for the Lutheran Board for Missions and treasurer for the Salvation Army in North Bend. Dolores was a member of Chatter Day at Tabitha Village.

Survivors include: sons, Roy A. (Jolene) Beckmann, Jr. of Lincoln, and James A. Beckmann of Phoenix; daughter, Judith A. (Jay) Maher of New Castle, Pa.; four grandchildren, Jeremy (Laura) Maher, Ruth (Brian) Sheridan, Rachel Maher, and Brittney Beckmann; two great-grandchildren, Colin Maher and Shannon Maher; special niece, Nila Marie Schneider; sisters-in-law, Ruby Huber and Wilma Corcoran; brother-in-law, Ben Zimmerman; and many other nieces, nephews, cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Roy; brother, Erwin Schneider; and sister, Bernice Schneider.

The funeral will be 10 a.m., Friday, July 8, at St. Peter Lutheran Church in North Bend. The Rev. Verdell Schramm will officiate. Visitation will be from 9:30-10 a.m. Friday at the church. Burial will be at Woodland Cemetery in North Bend. Memorials may be directed to Trinity Lutheran Church in Lincoln or St. Peter Lutheran Church in North Bend.

Online condolences may be left at: www.mosermemorialchapels.com.

Mrs. Charlotte A. (Wagaman) Larson, wife of the Reverend Thomas W. Larson, Columbus, Nebraska, departed this life on Wednesday, April 6, 2016, at the age of 64. She was born on December 12, 1951, in Guthrie Center, Iowa, to Leonard and Doris Wagaman. She was baptized into Christ on May 10, 1970, and married Tom Larson on June 27, 1971, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Fort Dodge, Iowa. The couple lived in several towns in Iowa and Kansas before moving to Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, Missouri, where Tom studied for ministry and Charlotte ran a barber shop on campus. She also served with her husband in the two churches he pastored: Trinity Lutheran Church in Troy, Missouri, and St. John Lutheran Church in Woodstock, Illinois.

Charlotte followed Jesus in roles as a hair stylist, homemaker, office assistant, and developer of her own small business called the Ecclesiastical Needle. She hit her stride in her last profession as the office manager of Faith Lutheran High School of McHenry County, Illinois. As a professional or a volunteer, she loved serving kids, building up their faith. They retired to Columbus, Nebraska, to live near their daughter’s family, and the time together brought them great joy.

Charlotte is survived by her husband, Rev. Thomas Larson, Columbus; one daughter, Tamara (Rev. Aaron) Witt, Columbus; one son, Rev. Brian (Sarah) Larson, Vancouver, Washington; three grandchildren, Julia Witt, Eliana Larson, and Noah Larson; her father, Leonard (Lex) Wagaman, Linden, Iowa; and her siblings, Gloria (Tom) Mazza, Ronald (Judy) Wagaman, and Norman (Shelley) Wagaman. She was preceded in death by her mother, Doris Wagaman.

The memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, April 8, 2016, at Christ Lutheran Church, rural Columbus. Interment will be in the parish cemetery. There will be no visitation. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial gift to one of the following: Trinity Lutheran Church, Troy, Missouri; St. John Lutheran Church, Woodstock, Illinois; Faith Lutheran High School of McHenry County, Crystal Lake, Illinois; Christ Lutheran Church, Columbus, Nebraska; or Camp Luther of Nebraska, Schuyler, Nebraska.

Condolences may be sent to Rev. Thomas Larson, 660 30th Avenue, Columbus, Nebraska 68601.