Julie Bakk
Julie Bakk was the first-born child of Rex & Julia Welsh in Durham, NC. Julie was born Dec 27, 1935 the oldest of 6 siblings. She spent her first 16 years growing up in Durham and attended the local Christian & Missionary Alliance Church. There she learned of her need for a Savior and accepted God’s forgiveness for her sin. Julie battled severe asthma most of her young years. She was unable to participate in many activities, feeling weak/tired. She was prayed-over numerous times by her mother, church leadership and evangelists but healing was not yet to be. Julie enjoyed her piano lessons as she excelled and even grew beyond her teaching in improvisation. The Welsh Family relocated before Julie’s junior year of H.S. to Zion, IL. She attended the Zion Bible Church youth group and graduated in 1954 from Zion Benton High School. God had been urging Julie to trust Him with everything, including her future plans. She was amazed that God could want to use her, being so sick for so long. Stepping out in faith, she attended St. Paul Bible Institute (now Crown College) in St. Paul, MN. To her astonishment, from day 1, her asthma was GONE! God had answered all those earlier prayers and healed her body. Julie loved college, learning more about her Savior Jesus Christ and excelling even more in piano improvisation. Her accomplishments were many, as she accompanied musicians and choirs representing her college. Upon completing her Christian Education Bachelors, Julie followed her parents to live in Honolulu, HI where she worked at a Christian radio station and continued playing the piano. Meanwhile, back at college there was a certain young pastoral student (Merrill Bakk) who loved God very much, enjoyed music himself and had fallen deeply in love with Julie (Welsh). He wrote to her, asking her to return to the mainland. When she did, he proposed and they were married June 18, 1960 in the Cook Baptist Church, MN. That’s when their dynamic forces combined in music and ministry. Merrill took his first pastoral position in Lincoln, NE at the Havelock Alliance Church as Director of Youth and Music. Julie was his support and “help-mate”. However St. Paul Bible Institute was still very near and dear to their hearts so in 1963 they began travelling, representing the college to churches; singing, playing piano, story-telling, chalk-drawing and preaching the Gospel. They were devoted to God first and each other second. In August, 1965 Merrill & Julie settled down at the Alliance Church in Milaca, MN for Merrill to serve as Senior Pastor. After that there were MANY relocations and calls of God to follow throughout the years. Julie remained faithful to love God first with all of her heart, to love and support Merrill with everything she knew, eventually to love and raise her 3 daughters (Melody, Lyn & Jen) to love Jesus too and also to love sharing the Gospel with people. Julie was dedicated to prayer and to scripture-study. She was a great Pastor’s Wife. She taught children, youth and adult classes in the churches/institutions in which they served over the years. Julie also led VBS’s, musicals, taught piano lessons and accompanied wherever they were. They served at: Retirement meant getting to spend more time together. Julie really enjoyed empty-nesting/retirement until Sept 2006 when she suffered a major, life-altering stroke. Her mobility was compromised and lifestyle changes were imminent. Now it was Merrill’s turn to look after Julie’s new needs beautifully until Feb 2013 when he passed into Glory. Julie’s last ministries were at Sumner Place Skilled Nursing and with St. Croix Hospice. It was at Sumner Place that her physical needs were met as she enjoyed many rich friendships, all while pointing others to Christ. It was with St. Croix Hospice that she was lovingly cared for until the end. Julie is preceded in death by her husband Merrill, her parents Rex & Julia Welsh, her sister Nancy Davis and 3 bothers-in-law Don Herrmann, John Davis, Walter Stirnichuk. Julie is survived by her daughters, sons-in-law, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, brother and sisters: Melody & Bob Kugel, Lyn & Peter Lillestolen, Jen & Brian Malvig, Nate & Anna Kugel, Caleb & Breanna Kugel, McKell Lillestolen, Mabree Lillestolen, Meeghan Lillestolen, Hannah Malvig, Ethan Malvig, Lydia Malvig, Elizabeth Malvig, Chloe Kugel, Theo Kugel & Ellie Kugel, Bobbie Stirnichuk, Joy & Jack Thomas, Rex & Elaine Welsh, Debbie & John Koetz and many nieces/nephews. A Memorial Service was on Tuesday, April 2, 2019 at 3:30 p.m at Middle Cross Church, 2600 N 70th St, Lincoln, NE 68507. Memorials to the family for future designation.
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.
“Micki” Maricki Jolayne Dufoe
From Lincoln, Nebraska Born on June 17, 1974. Passed away on March 20, 2019. Private service.
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.
Carrie N. (Gross) Bleich
Carrie N Bleich (Gross) 43 of Waverly Ne passed away in her home Friday 22 March 2019. She was born April 29th 1975 in Atchison Missouri to John W Gross and Linda J Horner. Carrie grew up and attended Humboldt High School. After High School she attended College perusing a degree in Nursing. She has two sons, Dylan M Lang and John Wyatt Schmit. Carrie married Duane Bleich on August 12, 2005. Carrie enjoyed training obedience and service dogs, teaching ladies self-defense techniques as well as a variety of shooting sports. She also enjoyed spending time with Family and Friends. Carrie was an organ donor. Carrie was preceded in death by her son Dylan and her parents and grandparents. Carrie is survived by her husband Duane Bleich of Waverly, NE; son Wyatt Schmit of Table Rock, NE; parents: Robert and Janet Coonce of Humboldt, Sister: June (Thad) Lambrecht of Bern, KS; Lindsay (Steve) Wittenhagen of Lincoln, NE; Janice Emiterio & Stephan Brown of Harlem, Montana, Brothers Mike (Mollie) Keeton of Salisbury, NC; Shane Keeton & Ruth Heywood of Nemaha, NE; aunts, uncles, many cousins, great cousins and friends. Carrie’s funeral was on Friday, April 12, 2019 at 10:30 a.m. at The Christian Church in Humboldt, Nebraska with Pastor Eric Biehl officiating. Inurnment was at the Humboldt Cemetery with a lunch following at the Christian Church. Memorial contributions may be given to the family’s choice with a later designation.
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.
Verna L. Chudly
Verna was born June 1, 1915 on a farm near Ohiowa, Nebraska, the second child and oldest daughter of Amanda and Henry Meyer. Verna passed away on March 22, 2019. She was baptized and confirmed at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Ohiowa. She attended country school until she graduated from 8th grade. The following fall she convinced her parents that she was needed at home to help care for the new baby sister soon to be born. Verna worked very hard on her parents’ farm helping in the fields, in the kitchen, and caring for that little sister. A few years later she worked in several homes as a hired girl/maid. When she was 16 she fell for tall, dark and handsome Ernest Chudly who she met at a local dance. On June 1, 1940, she and Ernie were married in Leigh, NE and settled in Milligan. Later they welcomed 2 daughters into their home, Virginia and Dianne. When the family moved to Lincoln in 1956, Verna worked in food service at the UNL’s Student Union, loving the students she worked with. Shortly after moving the family joined Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church. In 1960 Ernie and Verna bought their first home, a fixer-upper on South 35th Street. Before the year had passed Ernie died suddenly and Verna was left with a new mortgage and two teenagers. After 20 years at the Union, she retired. She enjoyed caring for her home and yard, raising tomatoes in the summer and making quilts with the church ladies. Verna loved her sons-in-law Earl Ahlschwede (deceased) and Jack Keech as if they were her sons. When her grandchildren came along she was so happy, first two granddaughters, then three grandsons. Verna was a kind and loving mother and grandmother, neighbor, and friend. She was resourceful and helpful, always the problem solver. She was a beloved grandmother, maker of donuts and fried chicken, who let her granddaughters stay up and watch Johnny Carson when they stayed with her. She visited her grandsons in Grand Island often when they were little, arriving on the bus with candy bars in her purse for them. She made at least four kinds of pie for every family get together and much homemade candy at Christmas. In 2002 she welcomed great grandson William, followed by Andrew, Peter, and George. She thought they were all perfect. Verna lived alone in her home until she was 101 years old, then moving to Sumner Place where Larry Van Hunnik and his staff cared so lovingly for her helping her to live out her life’s journey with dignity and respect. Verna is preceded in death by her husband Ernest, Son-in-Law Earl Ahlschwede, Sister and Brother-in-Law LaVera and Leo Kovanda, Brother and Sister-in-Law Roy and Rose Meyer & Brother-in-law Felix Bedlan. Verna is survived by her daughter Virginia Ahlschwede, daughter Dianne and son-in-law Jack Keech, grandchildren, Lisa Keech, Susan and husband Dave Bauer, Matt Ahlschwede, John Ahlschwede, James and Kristen Ahlschwede. Great grandchildren William and Andrew Bauer, and Peter and George Ahlschwede, sister Jean Bedlan. Memorial service was at 10:30 am Friday March 29, 2019 at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, Lincoln, NE. Family requests memorials in lieu of flowers to Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church or Cedars Home for Children.
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.
Laura Zimmerman
Laura May Zimmerman died Monday, March 18, 2019. She was born on May 8, 1958 in Bismarck, North Dakota to Edward and Viona Zimmerman. She lived on a farm with her family near Tappen, ND, then Jamestown and later lived independently in Fargo, ND. In 2011 Laura came to live with her sister in Lincoln, NE and remained there until her death. Throughout her adult life Laura enjoyed bowling with Special Olympics in ND and NE. For several years she attended a Social Club for special needs adults. She also attended an adult day program at Tabitha. She is survived by her mother, Viona Zimmerman, and siblings Sylvia Martin (Ron), Kathy Mueller and Jerome Zimmerman (Lynn). She also has several nieces and nephews who will miss her dearly. Her father and grandparents precede her in death. There was a gathering of friends and family on Saturday, March 23, 2019 from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. at Antelope Gardens Clubhouse at 4121 Normal Blvd, Lincoln. Memorials to the family for future designation. Graveside will be a later date.
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.
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