Mrs. Elizabeth “Bettie Kaye” (Pettit) Koch, wife of the Reverend Robert A. Koch, departed this life on Friday, August 10, 2018, in Lincoln, Nebraska, at the age of 74 years, 11 months and 6 days. Bettie Kaye was born on September 4, 1943, to Cecil Alden and Rosalie (Fleming) Pettit in Cleveland, Ohio. She was baptized on May 9, 1944, at First Presbyterian Church in Cleveland, Ohio. She was confirmed in the Lutheran faith at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Wichita, Kansas, on June 6, 1965. Bettie Kaye attended elementary school in Cleveland, Ohio. She then attended Salina North Senior High School in Salina, Kansas, graduating in 1961. Following high school, Bettie Kaye attended Wesleyan University in Salina, Kansas.
Bettie Kaye was married to Raymond Christian Bretthauer on December 19, 1964. She was then united in marriage to Robert Alan Koch on August 9, 1975. Pastor Koch served the following congregations during his ministry: Zion, Garland, and Immanuel, Seward, Nebraska (1975-1981); Concordia, Forsyth, Montana (1981-1982); Trinity, Sidney, and St. John’s, Fairview, Montana (1984-1985); Redeemer, Hardin, and St. John’s, St. Xavier, Montana (1985-1990); and St. Paul’s, Potter, and Salem, Gurley, Nebraska (1990-1992).
Bettie Kaye was a full-time wife and mother and loved taking care of her family. In her free time she enjoyed crafting and collecting things. She was a member of St. John Lutheran Church in Seward, Nebraska.
She is survived by her husband, Rev. Robert Koch, Seward, Nebraska; four daughters, Rhonda (Robert) Mueller, Seward, Nebraska; Rosemary (Richard) Bretthauer-Mueller, Grayson, Georgia; Rebekah (Conrad) Treviño, Seward, Nebraska; and Robin (Jose) Aragon, Parker, Colorado; three sons, Raymond (Shannon) Bretthauer, Lincoln, Nebraska; Randall (Stephanie) Koch, Brighton, Colorado; and Ryan (Amanda) Koch, Seward, Nebraska; one brother, Cecil Alden Pettit, Jr. (Bobbi Crafts), Salina, Kansas;
25 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren. Bettie Kaye was preceded in death by her parents, Cecil and Rosalie Pettit; brother, Charles Pettit; grandparents, Seneca and Effie Jane Pettit, Calvin and Rosa Fleming; grandson, Nicholas Bretthauer; and granddaughter, Brittany Bretthauer.
Condolences may be sent to Rev. Robert Koch, 502 E. Bek Avenue #4, Seward, Nebraska 68434.
Scotte Michael Hansen, Commissioned Minister—Director of Christian Education, departed this life on July 19, 2018, in Lincoln, Nebraska. He was born on August 26, 1973, on Azores Island in Portugal, to Michael H. and Linda S.Smith Hansen. He graduated from Northwest Missouri State University with a Bachelor’s in Therapeutic Recreation and then received his DCE Specialist Diploma and Certification from Concordia University, Seward, in 2000. Throughout his career he served as a DCE at St. Mark, Omaha, NE; Risen Savior, Wichita, KS; Hope, South Sioux City, NE; Christ, Lincoln, NE; and was currently serving as Director of Discipleship at Beautiful Savior and Executive Director of Kidnect Child Development Center in LaVista, NE.
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and mind.” This perfectly describes Scotte. These weren’t just words to him, they were his heart. “Go and make disciples” was not just a job, it was his passion. More than once he was overheard saying, “How can I slow down when so many people do not know Jesus?”
The groups, organizations, and individual lives he impacted and was a part of is too long to list. While at Christ, Lincoln, Scotte helped to build up Room 211, a multisensory worship experience. One of Scotte’s passions was the organization “Mission Matthew 28.” As one of the founders, Scotte led many mission trips to Hong Kong through this mission organization. He also led mission trips to Costa Rica and Mexico. He was currently serving as member-at-large for the Board of Directors for The National Association of Directors of Christian Education (NADCE).
Scotte’s family includes his wife, Annie; son, Lane; daughter and son-in-law, Nadia and David Batres; grandchildren, Katerina and Natalia; father and step-mother, Michael and Heidi Hutchison Hansen; mother, Linda Hansen; brother and sister-in-law, Ryan and Nikki Hansen; parents-in-law, Ron and Faith Doerr; sister-in-law, Cindy Doerr; brother-in-law, Andrew Doerr; nieces and nephews.
The funeral service will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 29, 2018, at Christ Lutheran Church in Lincoln, NE. Visitation with family present will be from 5-7 p.m. on Saturday at Roper and Sons South Lincoln Chapel, 3850 Hohensee Drive.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating as you feel led to one of the organizations dear to Scotte’s heart: Give Kids the World, Mission Matthew 28, or Educational Fund for Lane.
The Reverend Elton H. Temme, pastor emeritus, Blue Hill, Nebraska, departed this life on July 1, 2018, at the age of 85. Elton Herbert Temme was born on September 17, 1932, where his father was serving as pastor at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church near Barnes, Kansas. He attended Christian day schools in Barnes and Independence, Kansas, and high school in Warrenton, Missouri. He completed his preparatory work for the ministry at St. John’s College in Winfield, Kansas. He graduated with a Master of Divinity from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, Missouri, in 1958.
Pastor Temme recently celebrated his 60th year in the ministry after serving as pastor at the following parishes: St. John’s, Tyler, and First English, Fairmont, North Dakota (1958-1960); St. Peter’s, Barnes, Kansas (1960-1962); Reformation, Charlotte, North Carolina (1962-1965); St. John’s, Oberlin, Kansas (1965-1974); Trinity, Blue Hill, Nebraska (1974-1978); Grace, Larned, Kansas (1978-1986); and Zion, Farmington, New Mexico (1986-1992). He retired in Hastings, Nebraska, to be close to family and occasionally assisted on Sundays at Zion Lutheran Church.
Rev. Temme served as Circuit Counselor during his ministry in Oberlin, Kansas, requiring him during that time period to fill in as vacancy pastor in every church in this circuit. During his time in Larned, Kansas, he served as chairman of the Kansas District pastoral conferences and was District LWML advisor for two terms. He loved teaching confirmation classes and interacting with the youth group and often organized such activities as baseball games, summer picnics, and homemade pizza dinners.
Elton met his wife, Virginia, during his vicarage at Calvary Lutheran Church in Kansas City, Missouri, where she was teaching at the day school. They were married on September 3, 1958, in Birch Run, Michigan. They enjoyed 59 years of marriage and had three daughters: Ann, Lori, and Teresa. Rev. Temme shared his love of fly-fishing, gardening, and playing baseball with his daughters. He could often be seen hunting pheasant with his daughters and his faithful dog, Pepper.
Pastor Temme is survived by his wife, Virginia, Blue Hill, Nebraska; three daughters, Ann, and her husband, Greg Auten, and their three children, Tim, Lindsey, and Tyler of Blue Hill, Nebraska; Lori and her husband, Evan Halsey, of Jacksonville, Florida; and Teresa and her daughters, Annalise and Alayna of Annapolis, Maryland. He is also survived by three sisters, Carol Bryant and her husband Ron of Charlotte, North Carolina; Lois Frick of Warrenton, Missouri; and Anita Carter of Georgetown, Texas; one brother, Harold Temme, of Warrenton, Missouri; and numerous nieces and nephews. Elton was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Rev. Norman Temme and Rev. Ralph Temme.
Visitation with the family was held on Thursday, July 5, at the Merten-Butler Mortuary, Blue Hill, Nebraska. Funeral services were held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, July 6, at Trinity Lutheran Church, Blue Hill, Nebraska, with interment following at the Blue Hill Cemetery, Blue Hill, Nebraska. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be directed to Trinity Lutheran Church of Blue Hill.
Condolences may be sent to Mrs. Virginia Temme, 414 N. Wilson, Blue Hill, Nebraska 68930.
Rev. Edwin Williams, Pastor Emeritus was called to glory on June 23, 2018.
Edwin was born the second son of Arthur and Alvina née Wittcopp in Buffalo, New York, and was raised in rural western New York near the town of Lockport. His father farmed in various locations and was employed by Bell Aircraft during WWII and later by Nortons.
Ed was baptized into the Christian faith at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Walmore, New York, and confirmed in Trinity Lutheran Church, Lockport, New York. He overcame many obstacles throughout his education. Since German was still spoken at home, Ed had to learn English when he started school, and he was the first in his family to graduate from high school. It was while attending Trinity Lutheran School that he first felt the call to become a pastor. He graduated from the former Concordia Junior College in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, Missouri, and was ordained at Trinity Lutheran Church, Lockport, in 1961.
Ed served rural parishes in Ontario, Canada, South Dakota, Nebraska, and Iowa. He also served many congregations during vacancies, twice serving a dual parish as well as his own dual parish in South Dakota, driving 150 miles each Sunday for worship. Traveling between churches led to a number of adventures not described in seminary. On one of his long trips he hit a steer lying in the road that had just been hit by an oncoming car, and the steer’s horn pierced the radiator. Another time, a surprise blizzard caught Ed and Carol while driving home. Ed’s final call was to St. John’s Lutheran Church, Hastings, Iowa, from where he retired in 2000. He continued to serve vacancies through 2016 including St. Paul, St. John’s, and Bethany Lutheran in Omaha.
In Ontario he met his future wife, Carol née Hoover. They were married August 13, 1966, after a long-distance courtship between South Dakota and Toronto, Canada. Before cell phones and Skype, the courtship was conducted via written letters. Their daughter Joy, a physician, resides in Ann Arbor, Michigan, with her husband Tim Peterson and grandsons Matthew and David. Their son Patrick, a neuroscientist, resides in Allentown, Pennsylvania.
Ed was known to family and friends for his quirky sense of humor (he loved puns), and he loved to tell stories and jokes to anyone who would listen. He enjoyed observing nature, and with Carol he visited many national parks and tended a large flower garden. He tracked woodpeckers at their bird feeders and recorded each hummingbird visit in a small notebook.
During visits to family Ed enjoyed joking with his siblings, nieces, and nephews. He was a gentle, loving spouse, father, and grandfather. Ed loved the Lord with a child-like and yet profound faith and served Him with humility and joy throughout his life.
He was preceded in death by parents Arthur and Alvina; brother, Roger; and sister, Kathryn (Glenn) Klotzbach. He is survived by wife, Carol; daughter Joy (Tim Peterson); son Patrick; grandsons: Matthew Peterson, David Peterson; brother Richard; many nieces and nephews.
Services: Saturday, June 30, 2018, at 10:30 a.m. at Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church, LaVista, Nebraska.
Visitation: Saturday, June 30, 9:00 a.m. at Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church, LaVista. Interment will be in Evergreen Cemetery.
Memorials to Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church, LaVista, or St. John’s Lutheran Church, Hastings, Iowa.
Lovonne L. Riemer, Commissioned Minister—Teacher Emeritae, departed this life on June 4, 2018, in Seward, Nebraska. She was born on March 15, 1929, in Brillion, Wisconsin, to Henry and Norma Beer Riemer. She attended Concordia Teachers College in River Forest, Illinois and then graduated from Concordia Teachers College (now University), Seward, in 1964 with a Bachelors in Education. She received a Masters in Library Science from the University of Wisconsin, Madison in 1969. Throughout her career she served as teacher of elementary grades at Lutheran schools in Rantoul, Sheboygan, and Freistadt, Wisconsin from 1948-1960. She served as library secretary at Concordia College, Milwaukee from 1960-1963 and then for 24 years as assistant librarian at Concordia College, Seward. From 1963-1987, she also served as a member of the faculty in Seward, teaching courses in school libraries, children’s literature, and introduction to literature. She also served for
10 years as head of book sales for the Plum Creek Literacy Festival in Seward. In 1987 she began work in public schools in Nebraska, until her retirement in 1995.
Ms. Riemer is survived by her sister-in-law, Dorothy Riemer, Brillion, WI; nephews, Robert Riemer, Brillion, WI and Randall Riemer, Mineral Point, WI; and by a number of cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother Carl.
The funeral service was held Monday, June 11, 2018 at St. John Lutheran Church in Seward. Interment will be at Trinity Lutheran Cemetery in Rantoul, Wisconsin.
Memorials may be made in care of Plum Creek Children’s Literacy Festival at Concordia University, Seward, Nebraska
Vance H. Hinrichs, Commissioned Minister—Teacher Emeritus, departed this life on March 5, 2018. He was born on December 8, 1930. He graduated from Concordia Teachers College (now University), Seward, in 1953. He later received his Master’s from the University of Northern Colorado and his Doctorate from the University of Nebraska – Lincoln. Throughout his career he served as teacher at Lutheran schools in North Dakota and Colorado as well as at Concordia, Seward. He retired in March of 1996 after serving as Concordia’s major gifts officer. He served as chairman of LCMS Lutheran Church Extension Fund, vice chairman of LCMS Worker Benefit Plans, Concordia Board of Regents, Concordia Foundation, Silver Eagles, and Realtor for LCEF advance church sites.
Mr. Hinrichs is survived by his wife, Carol of Seward; sons Michael of Blair, NE; David of Lincoln, NE; and Paul (Suzanne) of Auburn, NE; daughters Sue (Ron) Krueger of Bloomington, IL; and Karen (Steve) Hoger of Seward, NE; 13 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; sisters, Iona (Dave) Bathke of Thorton, CO; and Vaneta Hinrichs of Wheat Ridge, CO; sisters-in-law, Ruth (Frank) Spiva of Fort Collins, CO; and Judy (Gerald) Roggow of Enid, OK; nieces and nephews.
The funeral service will be held March 9, 2018, at St. John Lutheran Church in Seward, at 10:00 a.m. Interment will be at Greenwood Cemetery in Seward.
Memorials can be made to Concordia University, Nebraska.
Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Zabka Funeral Home, Seward – Dwight: zabkafuneralhome.com
