Bernard C. Woollen

Funeral services for Bernard C. "Bernie" Woollen will be held on Saturday, January 7, 2017 at 10:30 a.m. at the United Methodist Church in Wilcox, Nebraska with Pastor Rick Thomason officiating. Interment will be in the Freewater Cemetery in rural Harlan County, Nebraska following the service.

Bernard C. "Bernie" Woollen, 97 years of age, of Holdrege, Nebraska (formerly of Wilcox) passed away on Tuesday, January 3, 2017 at the Holdrege Memorial Homes. Bernie was born April 8, 1919 at Wilcox, the fifth of eleven children born to John William and Lillie Mae (Gifford) Woollen. He attended Wilcox Public School and graduated from Wilcox High School with the class of 1937. Upon graduation, Bernie and his brother, Melvin traveled to Iowa to pick corn due to the drought and lack of crop production in Nebraska. He returned home to Nebraska and engaged in farming with Melvin in 1940.

On September 9, 1945, Bernie was united in marriage to I. Leone Johnson. Leone was the daughter of Ernest and Irene Johnson of Holdrege. To this union three children were born: Ronald "Ron", Sharon "Sherrie", and Jerry. The couple made their home on the family farm five miles southwest of Wilcox. On January 3, 1973 he was preceded in death by his wife, Leone.

Bernie later married Juanita "Nita" (Einspahr) Johnsen on March 2, 1974 at the St. John's Lutheran Church in Wilcox. They continued to reside on the farm until Bernie's retirement from farming, at which time the couple built a new house in Wilcox, where they enjoyed their retirement years together. Bernie and Nita also enjoyed spending time with their grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Bernie's hobbies and interests included: being an avid golfer, socializing with friends, remaining active in the community, participating in the Wilcox Lions Club, and traveling to various conventions. Throughout the years, Bernie and Nita loved being supporters of Wilcox sports and all things Husker. Their greatest joy, though, has been their family.

Besides his first wife, Leone and his parents; Bernie was preceded in death by his daughter, Sharon Flood; grandson, Alex Woollen; daughter-in-law, Michele Woollen; step-son, Randy Johnsen; siblings and spouses: Cloie Jensen and her husband, Bill, Loren Woollen and his wife, Ardyce, Gifford Woollen, William Woollen and his wife, Dorothy, Lamoyne Woollen, Lamonte Woollen, Melvin Woollen and twin sisters: Lois Ryan and her husband, Gene, and Louisa Rabe and her husband, Clifford; and brother-in-law, Martin Mattson.


Bernie leaves to celebrate his life; his wife, Nita Woollen of Holdrege; his two children: Ron Woollen and his wife, Sue of rural Wilcox, and Jerry Woollen of Lincoln, Nebraska; three step-children: Diane Norblade and her husband, Clark of Axtell, Nebraska, Cheryl Gittelson and her husband, Gary of Oceanside, California, and Larry Johnsen of Alma, Nebraska; 18 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; brother, Norden Woollen and his wife, Mary Ann of rural Wilcox; sisters-in-law: Helen Woollen and Doris Woollen both of Holdrege; along with many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends.


Visitation will be held on Friday, January 6, 2017 from 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. with the family greeting from 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. at the Bauer-Torrey & Mach Funeral Home in Wilcox.

A memorial has been established in Bernie's honor and will be designated at later date.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com

The Bauer-Torrey & Mach Funeral Home in Wilcox is in charge of the arrangements.