Rita Gertrude Becker Vornhagen
Rita G. (Becker) Vornhagen, 96, Lincoln, died Monday, March 4, 2019. Born in St. Helena, NE, 6/3/1922 to Marcus & Mary (Paltz) Becker. Rita was a caretaker from the time she was young. She took care of local mothers and newborns of relatives and friends. She worked at a small restaurant in Yankton, SD. Then Rita moved to Omaha where she worked in a warehouse and bakery. About a year after that, she married Ray, on her 25th birthday, June 3, 1947 in St. Helena, NE. They moved to Niobrara in the spring of 1948, where they farmed, and Rita always had a HUGE garden. Rita was a long-time member of St. William’s Catholic Church in Niobrara until she moved to Lincoln to be near daughter, Patti. After years of hosting “Camp Vornhagen” to many nieces and nephews, Ray & Rita welcomed four children into their home: Regina (Jean), Richard, James (Jim), and Patricia (Patti). Rita was preceded in death by her husband, Ray, parents, Marcus & Mary Becker, son, Richard, brothers Donald Becker, Wilford Becker & Florenze Becker and sister Mercedes Becker. Rita is survived by her children: Patti (Scott) Beasley of Lincoln, Jim (Deanne) Vornhagen of Norfolk and Jean Opitz of Spearfish, SD; her grandchildren: Patrick, Alex (Brianna) & Chris Beasley; Scott, Adam & Jay Vornhagen, Sabelle Opitz, Jamie (Troy) Winslow & Ilise Opitz, Dayleen (Mike) Eiselein & David Vornhagen; and five great-grandchildren: Arielle Opitz-Brownelle, Tehya & Mihari Winslow, Nathan & Markus Eiselein. She is also survived by sisters Rose Marie (Sis) Paulsen of Emerson, Genevieve Scholte of Emerson and Charlotte Wiebelhaus of Omaha, and many beloved nieces and nephews. Those of you who knew Rita cared for her almost as much as we did. Thank you for loving her and filling her heart with joy and laughter over the years. She was one of a kind, and she will be missed. But God needed to fill His garden with this special flower. She is now our Angel, watching over us all and keeping us safe. Memorial Service on April 5, 2019 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Williams Catholic Church in Niobrara, Nebraska. Memorials to the family for future designation. Condolences to www.aspenaftercare.com. God looked around His garden and He found We miss you already…
an empty place.
He then looked down upon this earth, and saw
your tired face.
He put His arms around you and lifted
you to rest.
God’s garden must be beautiful, He always
takes the best.
He knew that you were suffering; he knew
you were in pain.
He knew that you would never get well on
earth again.
He saw the road was getting rough and the
hills were hard to climb.
So He closed your weary eyelids, and
whispered, “Peace be thine.”
It broke our hearts to lose you but you didn’t
go alone.
For part of us went with you the day God
called you home.
your loving Family
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.
Ravona Van Lear
Age 79 From Lincoln, Nebraska Born on May 14, 1939. Passed away on March 22, 2018. 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.
Pearl L. Vidlak, age 89, of Lincoln, passed away on January 9, 2018, at the Journey House. She was born on September 16th, 1928 in Norfolk, to William and Anna (Borgmeyer) Nicolay. Pearl is survived by her sister Lorna Fundum of Norfolk, children Lea (Tim Evers) Vidlak of Wilmington, DE, Theresa Crispin of Des Moines, IA and Tony (Cheri) Vidlak of Scottsdale, AZ, grandchildren Alex Evers, Michael Evers, Max Evers, Joe Crispin, Luke Crispin, Denise Mulkey and Capi McLean, 9½ great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews and Sisters-In-Law, Marge Smith and Mary Vidlak. She was preceded in death by her husband Anton Vidlak and eight brothers and sisters. Cremation. No visitation. A memorial service will be held at Southwood Lutheran Church at 4301 Wilderness Hills Blvd in Lincoln, Nebraska on Friday, February 2, 2018 at 11:30 am. In lieu of flowers, memorial to the Tabitha Journey House, Southwood Lutheran Church Memorial fund or charity of your choice. Condolences to www.aspenaftercare.com.
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.
Shirley Ann Vontz
Passed away on October 6, 2017.
Shirley Ann ( McCloughan) Vontz was born to Helen and Bert McCloughan June 10, 1942. Her twin sister Sharon passed at birth. Shirley passed away October 6, 2017 at the age of 75 after a courageous 3 month battle with acute leukemia.
Shirley grew up north of Valentine, NE. She loved the Sandhills and always looked forward to coming home to visit the land and her family. Shirley graduated from Valentine High School in 1960. From there she obtained a bachelor and masters degree from the University of Nebraska in Home Economics and Special Education.
She taught school for McCook Public Schools 20+ years and for St Patrick’s Pre-school after retiring. One of her greatest joys was to teach and make learning exciting. Her grandchildren were never for lack of fun, educational books and toys!
Shirley married Ronald Vontz on a very hot day in July 1968. To this union was born 2 daughters Marci and LeeAnn. They raised their family south of McCook. They had a deep love for each other and we can now be joyous that they are able to be together again.
Shirley loved her family and friends. She listened, prayed, and gave great encouragement and advice to anyone of them in need. She especially delighted in watching her grandchildren come to earth and grow! She enjoyed crafting and sewing, a love that she has passed onto her girls.
Shirley is preceded in death by her parents Helen and Bert McCloughan, her sister Sharon, sister Catherine Petersen, brother James McCloughan, and spouse Ronald Vontz.
Shirley is survived by daughters Marci Vontz-Lewis(Brian Lewis) of York, NE and LeeAnn Hampton (Dave) Lincoln; aunt Melvina Parker of Lincoln; sister-in-law Nadda McCloughan of Valentine, NE; brother and sister-in-law Steve and Bethine Vontz of McCook, NE; 8 grandchildren Caleb, Layce, Connor, Bradley, Abigail, Rylan, Sasha, and Amelia. Shirley is also survived my many loved cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.
While we are saddened that her earthly body was worn out and her time here with us was done, we are joyous that she is now free of pain and can be reuinited with our Heavenly Father and all those that have passed before her.
A memorial service was held at St Patrick’s Catholic Church in McCook, NE on Tuesday, October 17, 2017 at 10:30 am. Rosary on Monday at 7:00 pm at the church. Cremation, no visitation. Flowers can be delivered to the church or memorials may be given to the family for future designation. Condolences to www.aspenaftercare.com.
Aspen Cremation Service represents the ideal combination of price and quality. We have low overhead and can pass on the savings. Let us earn your trust.
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