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Archive for: Past

Katherine Ann Wild

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Katherine Ann Wild, 33, of Lincoln, died August 13, 2021 surrounded by her family. The daughter of John Wild and Diana Wild, she was born February 18, 1988, in Charlottesville, Virginia. Katherine’s strength, wit and intellect will be remembered by everyone who knew and loved her.

Katherine endured life-long side effects and multiple surgeries, hospitalizations and medical issues stemming from her diagnosis of Wegener’s granulomatosis at age 12. From that time forward, she spent many days and weeks as a hospital patient at the Mayo Clinic. She received a kidney transplant from her father at age 15.

Nevertheless, she persisted.

Despite missing many school days, including most of her eighth-grade year, she graduated with her Lincoln East classmates in 2006. Her teachers marveled at her ability to keep up through prolonged absences and respected her hard work, determination and optimism.

Those traits continued into adulthood.

Katherine was a voracious reader, movie trivia aficionado and Harry Potter fan girl. She was quick and often quirky with a sharp sense of humor. Her interests were deep and wide, from knitting and collecting nail polish to playing Xbox and Arkham Horror the Card Game. Her childhood interests in dancing, piano and violin sparked an enduring love of music, including her parents’ old-time rock and roll.

Katherine held fond memories of her family’s Make-a-Wish trip to Broadway, a Disney vacation sponsored by her church family, a sisters and friends trip to California and two visits to Harry Potter World at Universal Studios with her dad.

Throughout her life and through it all, she remained resilient, hopeful and endlessly persistent.

Katherine was loved and loved deeply. Her young nephews and their parents were lights in her life, as were her grandparents, aunts and uncles. She was blessed with childhood friendships that stood the test of time and distance. Katherine’s Cairn Terrier Libby and, more recently, her cat Sophie were never far from her side.

She is survived by her parents, sister Elizabeth Wild Thiele (Jeff) and nephews Audie, Cary and Bram Thiele, all of Lincoln, and maternal grandparents Philip and Georgia Harsch, Stanton, NE, along with many extended family members and friends. She was preceded in death by her paternal grandparents Arden and Lodema Wild.

A memorial service for Katherine is planned for 1 p.m., October 23, 2021 at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Lincoln, where she was confirmed in the faith in 2003 shortly before her transplant.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be sent to Aspen Cremation Service; 4822 Cleveland Avenue, Lincoln NE 68504. Memorials to the family will be shared with Katherine’s favorite charities.

To leave a condolence please use the form below.



Funeral Home assisting is Aspen Mortuary, 4822 Cleveland Avenue, Lincoln, NE 68504. To view an on-line obituary or email condolences please visit Aspen Mortuary’s website at www.aspenaftercare.com.

David Frederick Munsey

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From Alliance, Nebraska.

Born on June 15, 1963.

Passed away on August 12, 2021.

No service information at this time.

To leave a condolence please use the form below.



Funeral Home assisting is Aspen Mortuary, 4822 Cleveland Avenue, Lincoln, NE 68504. To view an on-line obituary or email condolences please visit Aspen Mortuary’s website at www.aspenaftercare.com.

Cynthia Jane Partsch

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From Lincoln, Nebraska.

Born on May 25, 1950.

Passed away on August 10, 2021.

No service at this time.

To leave a condolence please use the form below.



Funeral Home assisting is Aspen Mortuary, 4822 Cleveland Avenue, Lincoln, NE 68504. To view an on-line obituary or email condolences please visit Aspen Mortuary’s website at www.aspenaftercare.com.

Dr. John Phillip Krejci, Ph.D.

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John Phillip Krejci, Ph.D., loving husband, father, grandfather, former Catholic priest, college professor, and social activist, died on August 11, 2021, in Lincoln. He was 84.

Born on June 16, 1937, in Omaha, Nebraska, John leaves an impressive legacy of over 60 years of social activism as a champion of multiple marginalized groups. He received his undergraduate degree at Conception Seminary College (Missouri), studied at The American University of Rome for his four year master’s degree in Divinity, and earned his doctorate in Sociology and Anthropology at the University of Notre Dame. John served as a parish priest of the Omaha diocese, and later as a professor of Social Work/Sociology/Anthropology and department chair during his tenures at Kearney State College (now UNK) and Nebraska Wesleyan University.

John tirelessly dedicated himself to civil rights, fighting for many oppressed groups and social/institutional change. Throughout his life, he advocated for African Americans, Native Americans (Omaha and Winnebago people), prisoners, and many other oppressed people. In retirement, he focused on criminal justice and prison reform, successfully advocating for several prisoners.  His numerous letters to the editor reflected his commitment to justice and fairness, as well as his tenacity and sharp sense of humor. John attended mass weekly and his strong Catholic faith shaped his entire life.  He courageously fought for progressive changes within institutions that he believed needed it.  He served in countless leadership, organizational and activist positions, including Nebraskans for Peace, Call to Action, the Omaha Tribal Historical Research Project and the Nebraska Chapter of the United Nations.  He was a beloved member of the “Wednesday Lunch Bunch,” where he enjoyed socializing with other esteemed local civil rights activists.

On June 26th, he and his wife, Jean Krejci (Gettelfinger) a former nun, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. They met at the University of Notre Dame. John is survived by his loving wife, three children, John Mark Krejci Ph.D. and Jeanie Krejci of Lincoln; Jennifer Krejci-Manwaring M.D., son-in-law Teddy Manwaring, and grandchildren, Merric and Morgan Manwaring of San Antonio, TX; his sister Mary Kay Bizal, brother-in-law Frank Bizal, of Philadelphia, PA, and nieces and nephews; David Bizal, Steve Bizal, Mike Bizal, and Kathy Holdsman.

Prior to his death, John valiantly endured a 15-year “dance with cancer.” Despite health challenges, he approached life with a great sense of fun and adventure.  John enjoyed ice skating, biking, and played ice hockey into his 70s. During this last year at home he could be found watching some surprising shows like the Walking Dead, Twilight Zone and Star Trek. He also loved boxing and football. Most of all, he was an avid fisherman and continued to visit his favorite fishing spots up until the very end.

Funeral Mass at St. John’s Parish on the Creighton University campus in Omaha, Nebraska on  Saturday, October 23rd at 10:00 a.m. Masks will be required to all that attend. Please join the family for a luncheon directly following mass at The Old Mattress Factory Grill, 501 N 13th St, Omaha, NE 68102. 11am – 3pm.

Donations in his honor can be made to Nebraskans for Peace.

John was honored in an article by the Lincoln Journal Star, it can be read here.

To leave a condolence please use the form below.



Funeral Home assisting is Aspen Mortuary, 4822 Cleveland Avenue, Lincoln, NE 68504. To view an on-line obituary or email condolences please visit Aspen Mortuary’s website at www.aspenaftercare.com.

Trevor Vilas Tieken

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Trevor Vilas Tieken: b. June 1st, 1966, d. August 11th, 2021 at the age of 55.

Trevor grew up in Pomona, California, with his parents and three sisters. He attended school at St. Paul’s Lutheran as a child, followed by Lutheran High LaVerne. He was firm in his faith, and valued science and knowledge. He moved to Nebraska from California the summer of 1990, where he met Sheryl Kehm. They were married June 12th, 1995.  He was a working man, who valued both his family and financial stability. Diagnosed with Stage 4 colorectal cancer on October 8th, 2019, he worked until he was no longer able to. During his journey, he was pleasant, patient and strong until the very end. He passed, peacefully, surrounded by his family, visited by his friends, and knew that he was blessed and loved until the very end.

He was survived by his wife, Sheryl Kehm Tieken (Seward, NE); his daughters, Tatyana Tieken, Vanessa Tieken and Kassandra Tieken (all residing in Seward, NE); his granddaughter, Natalie Munsinger (Seward, NE); his sisters; Brenda Tieken-Goodman (Upland, CA), Tamara Tieken (Lake Havasu, AZ) and Corinne Tieken (Bloomington, CA); his father-in-law, Ralph (Mick) Kehm (Seward, NE); his brother-in-law, Terry Kehm (Seward, NE); along with various nieces, nephews, and great nieces. He also is survived by the family’s dog, a blue nosed pit named Chloe (Seward, NE), and his best friend in his adult life, James Holmes (Lincoln, NE).

He was preceded in death by his mother, MaryAnn (Ellis) Tieken and his father, LaVerne Tieken, as well as his mother-in-law, Sandra Kehm.

There will be a small, informal service held by the family on Sunday, Aug 22nd, at 3:00 pm at Seward Bowl, 123 S 4th St, Seward NE, 68434. Sympathy cards and memorials can be sent Aspen Cremation Service, 4822 Cleveland Avenue, Lincoln NE 68504.

To leave a condolence please use the form below.



Funeral Home assisting is Aspen Mortuary, 4822 Cleveland Avenue, Lincoln, NE 68504. To view an on-line obituary or email condolences please visit Aspen Mortuary’s website at www.aspenaftercare.com.