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Willard Dean Wellnitz

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Willard Dean Wellnitz

Birth	:	20 Jun 1930 Rushville, Sheridan County, Nebraska, USA
Death	:	31 Aug 2020 Gordon, Sheridan County, Nebraska, USA
Burial	:	Fair View Cemetery, Rushville, Sheridan County, USA
Coordinate	:	42.7155991, -102.4325027
Description	:	Willard Dean Wellnitz was born on the last day of Spring in 1930 at his parent’s, Herbert and Caroline (Jungck) Wellnitz, home south of Rushville and passed away on August 31st at Gordon Memorial Hospital after 90 years of living life to the fullest. Willard attended grade school at District #78, high school in Rushville, and attended for 1 ½ years at Chadron State College. He was active in music, playing bass horn and singing in men’s groups, and played football during high school; and ran track in college. When Willard, who normally ran the short sprints,... Read More	Willard Dean Wellnitz was born on the last day of Spring in 1930 at his parent’s, Herbert and Caroline (Jungck) Wellnitz, home south of Rushville and passed away on August 31st at Gordon Memorial Hospital after 90 years of living life to the fullest. Willard attended grade school at District #78, high school in Rushville, and attended for 1 ½ years at Chadron State College. He was active in music, playing bass horn and singing in men’s groups, and played football during high school; and ran track in college. When Willard, who normally ran the short sprints, got in trouble with the track coach, he was told he would be running the half mile that day. The coach told Willard to follow his teammate to pace himself, but when Willard decided the pace was too slow, he passed him up and ended up earning second place! Throughout his life he showed this strength and perseverance in every aspect. Willard served for 2 years in the U. S. Army, stationed in North Carolina. He was supposed to be shipped overseas for the Korean War, but his papers were lost and never reached him, so he never left the states. He told stories about the men he met, including one man who took him home, and said he loved bringing company home because his mother would make gravy to go with the bread when company came. When his brother was getting married in Colorado, Willard flew back on a transport plane, getting a flying lesson in the process, then hitchhiked from Denver to Fort Collins, getting there just in time for the reception. Willard settled on the farm and in the late 50’s went to the local Farm Services office, where he saw a lovely brunette working, who would end up being the love of his life. In 1963 he married that woman, Joyce Sager, and she said she thought there were probably hearts breaking all over Sheridan County when she took him off the market. Their family grew through the years with children Kim, Joan, Carol, Linda, and Fred filling their home with laughter, love, and shenanigans. Willard’s love for his family and for young people carried over into so many lives throughout the years, as many loved him as a surrogate father and grandfather. In the precious few moments when he took time to indulge in his favorite hobbies, Willard could be found playing cards with friends or at the poker table, including playing in the World Series of Poker tournament in Las Vegas twice. Those, hearty enough to battle the cold, would often find him out ice fishing in the dead of winter. Music played an important role throughout Willard’s life, and he had the natural gift of being able to pick up almost any instrument to play. Besides playing the bass horn in high school, he also played at playing the guitar, banjo, accordion, ukulele, fiddle, and piano. Many in the community enjoyed his singing and playing including at weddings, anniversary celebrations, and family gatherings. For all of his 90 years, Willard gave his heart and soul to the land and his livelihood on the farm. He got up, went outside, and worked hard for what he loved every single day. He taught his family so much about the value of hard work, appreciation for what you have, and responsibility. He was an astute businessman, but those he interacted with always knew he would treat them fairly. Good luck followed him, but he once said, “It’s funny, but the harder I work, the luckier I get.” Willard was a man of strong faith and spent many of his later years enjoying studying the scriptures, attending church and Bible study. Willard is survived by his loving wife, Joyce; his five children – Kim (Ed Abold), Joan, Carol, Linda (Wayde Graham), and Fred (Paige); 16 grandchildren, 2 step-grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, brother Warren, sister Alma (Bill Baldwin),sister-in-law, Mary Ann Wellnitz; mother-in-law Mary Sager; Joyce’s sisters, brother and their spouses, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was predeceased by his parents, his father-in-law Harry Sager, brother Jim, sister-in-law Berneice Wellnitz and grandson Joe. A memorial to be determined has been set up in Willard’s name and can be sent in care of Chamberlain-Pier Funeral Home, PO Box 366, Gordon, NE 69343. Thursday, September 3rd there will be a viewing from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the mortuary in Gordon, and services will be held Friday, September 4th at Fairview Cemetery in Rushville at 10:00 a.m. Please bring your lawn chair to the service.

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is Willard Dean Wellnitz's memorial?
Willard Dean Wellnitz's memorial is located at: Fair View Cemetery, Rushville, Sheridan County, USA.
When did Willard Dean Wellnitz death?
Willard Dean Wellnitz death on 31 Aug 2020 in Gordon, Sheridan County, Nebraska, USA
Where are the coordinates of the Willard Dean Wellnitz's memorial?
Latitude: 42.7155991
Longitude: -102.4325027

Family Members:

Parent

Herbert Bernard Wellnitz

(1900 - 1976)

Caroline Emelie Magdalene Jungck Wellnitz

(1905 - 1990)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Saint Marys Cemetery
Rushville, Sheridan County, USA
Coordinate: 42.7174988, -102.4436035

2. Amity Cemetery
Sheridan County, USA
Coordinate: 42.8036003, -102.4389038

3. Preble Cemetery
Sheridan County, USA
Coordinate: 42.6504000, -102.5765000

4. Novotny Cemetery
Hay Springs, Sheridan County, USA
Coordinate: 42.7742004, -102.5963974

5. Mount Hope Cemetery
Gordon, Sheridan County, USA
Coordinate: 42.7113991, -102.2241974

6. Holly Cemetery
Rushville, Sheridan County, USA
Coordinate: 42.8575120, -102.5370990

7. Davis Cemetery
Rushville, Sheridan County, USA
Coordinate: 42.5421000, -102.4118800

8. Gordon Cemetery
Gordon, Sheridan County, USA
Coordinate: 42.7858009, -102.2102966

9. Bomar Cemetery
Hay Springs, Sheridan County, USA
Coordinate: 42.8062000, -102.6459600

10. Saint Aloysius Cemetery
Sheridan County, USA
Coordinate: 42.9015500, -102.4025500

11. Bethel Cemetery
Sheridan County, USA
Coordinate: 42.9011002, -102.3208008

12. St. Mary's Cemetery
Hay Springs, Sheridan County, USA
Coordinate: 42.6721992, -102.7035980

13. Hay Springs Cemetery
Hay Springs, Sheridan County, USA
Coordinate: 42.6702995, -102.7033005

14. Beguin Cemetery
Sheridan County, USA
Coordinate: 42.5107994, -102.4982986

15. Abold Family Cemetery
Rushville, Sheridan County, USA
Coordinate: 42.8863500, -102.6158000

16. Sacred Heart Cemetery
Hay Springs, Sheridan County, USA
Coordinate: 42.5213220, -102.5782690

17. Antelope Cemetery
Hay Springs, Sheridan County, USA
Coordinate: 42.7144970, -102.7727290

18. Highland Cemetery
Hay Springs, Sheridan County, USA
Coordinate: 42.7145500, -102.7727500

19. Dane Cemetery
Cherry County, USA
Coordinate: 42.7924300, -102.0824700

20. White Clay Cemetery
Rushville, Sheridan County, USA
Coordinate: 42.9732820, -102.5667230

21. Beaver Valley Cemetery
Sheridan County, USA
Coordinate: 42.8880997, -102.7517014

22. Saint Peters Cemetery
Sheridan County, USA
Coordinate: 42.4975014, -102.7161026

23. Lavaca Cemetery
Irwin, Cherry County, USA
Coordinate: 42.7332993, -102.0175018

24. Holy Cross Cemetery
Pine Ridge, Oglala Lakota County, USA
Coordinate: 43.0194016, -102.5503006