Mickie (Mildred Irene) Phelps, age 94, died peacefully on Nov.7, 2018 in Lincoln, NE. She was the daughter of Leander and Lena (Ossowski) Wood of Beatrice, NE.

During her younger years, Mickie followed a secretarial career that took her to Washington DC. For a time, she lived in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada but later returned to her roots in Lincoln, NE with her family. Mickie worked with the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce and had a long association with the Nebraska Association of County Officials and the Supreme Court of Nebraska until she retired.

Mickie is pre-deceased by her older siblings Lee Acker (Wood); Glen Wood; Maye Steele (Wood); and twins Bernadette Patchin (Wood) and Bud Wood.

She is survived by her children and spouses: Sondra (Soni) Loree Stone (Bill Fagerberg); Kathi Rae Thompson; Stephanie Kay Thompson; and Kevin Bruce Thompson (Cyndy Anderson). Grandchildren: Kimberly Kay Charef (Jeff Klingler) and Charles Craig Stone (Jade).

A private family Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: Aging Partners, Friends of Life fund and Bridges to Hope, NE.

Condolences to www.apsenaftercare.com.

Wanda M Pautz, 81. of Lincoln, NE. died Sept. 7^th, 2018 at her residence in Sumner Place. She was born on May 2nd, 1937 in New Castle, lndiana. She was the daughter of Francis & Dorothy Selman. They soon moved to Hiawatha, Kansas. Wanda was one of 10 sibblings.

Wanda was married to Chester L. Pautz August, 1956 which then they had 3 children.

Wanda worked many different jobs throughout her life but her last job she loved doing the most and that was volunteering as a Foster Grandparent for Belmont grade school. She also enjoyed working crossword puzzles and reading.

Wanda is survived by her son Gregory (Connie) Pautz; daughters Teresa (Tim) Skaggs & Debra Failor all of Lincoln, NE; grandchildren Jeremy Pautz of Lincoln, NE, Phillip Pautz of Erie, CO,  Elizibeth (Javen) Tierney of Pender, NE, Jeffery (Brianna) of Lincoln, NE, Mathew Pautz of Lincoln, NE, and Anthony Pautz of Lincoln, NE, Nickolas (Melissa) Jacobitz of Benkleman, NE, Joshua (Stephaney) Jacobitz of Nelson, NE, Heanvenly (Keegan) Parr, Christepher Failor, and Cassandra Failor all in Lincoln, NE; 7 great grandchildren and 1 on the way; sister Linda (Glen) Henningon of Sabetha, KS; also many nephews, nieces & cousins.

Wanda was preceded in death by her parents Francis & Dorothy; brothers Francis, Charles, Wesley, Fredrick, Bobby, Larry and Everett; sister Rosetta; sisters-in-law; and a brother-in-law.

A Celebration of Wanda’s life will follow at a later date.  Memorials to the family for future designation.  Make checks out to and mail to Gregory Pautz, 2323 N.W. 41st Street, Lincoln, NE 68524. Condolences to www.aspenaftercare.com.

James “Mark” Pogue, 57, passed away on Wednesday, Sept 5th, 2018.  A marathoner, sailor, beloved professor and loving husband and father, we will miss his humor and energy every day.

Mark received his bachelor’s degree from Oklahoma State University in 1983, made the cross country team and was a member of Farmhouse fraternity.  While selling computers for NCR, he started volunteering as a Young Life leader.  So compelled by the mission, he took a pay cut and in 1987 joined Young Life staff full-time as an area director, first in Kansas City North then following his wedding to Jami, became the area director for Lincoln Young Life from 1994-2000.  In 2000, Mark joined Gallup and turned his mission towards helping college students discover and leverage their innate strengths.  He consulted and equipped hundreds of universities to offer strengths-based education and development programs to students.  Mark earned his master’s degree in executive leadership in 2008 from UNL.

Mark battled numerous health challenges with a fierce determination to keep living fully with intention and purpose.  He received a life-saving heart transplant in 2015 at Tampa General Hospital.

Up for a new adventure from this 2nd chance at life, he became the executive director of the newly established Clifton Strengths Institute at the UNL College of Business and we moved back to Lincoln after 15 years in Minneapolis.  In less than three years, over 3000 students know how to leverage their strengths in academics, career and life.  He implemented a peer coaching model, developed a cohort track for high-potential entrepreneurial students, created new courses and added a minor.  He loved and cared deeply for his students, attending their sporting events and inviting them to our home.

He battled lymphoma for the last 18 months but continued to invest in others and impart faith and hope until the very end.

Mark is survived by his wife, Jami and two daughters, Paige (21) and Reilly (20), who were the joys of his life.  Parents Jim and Barbara Pogue, brother Matt (Renee), in-laws Jim and Linda Flannery, brothers in-law Ryan (Lorena), Kent (Jennifer), Taylor (Nicole) Flannery and nieces and nephews. 

To honor Mark’s life are the following events:  Remembering and Celebrating Mark Pogue: Thursday, Sept 13th from 5-6 pm at the UNL College of Business, Howard L Hawks Hall, Hendrickson Family Atrium, 730 N 14th St Lincoln.  Funeral Mass on Friday, Sept 14th at 10 am at St John the Apostle Catholic Church, 7601 Vine St. Lincoln.  In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Mark’s honor to Lincoln Young Life or to Reconnect Resources.