Bernie C Shefstad

Celebration of Life Service for Berdene C. "Bernie" Shefstad will be held on Friday, October 2, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at the Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church in Holdrege, Nebraska with Pastors Kenton Birtell and Dan Wiese officiating. Following the traditional funeral, cremation will take place and a private family inurnment will be held at a later date at the Moses Hill Cemetery in Phelps County.

Berdene Carl "Bernie" Shefstad, 72 years of age, of Holdrege, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, September 28, 2015 at the Phelps Memorial Health Center in Holdrege. Bernie was born September 30, 1942 at Cherokee, Iowa, the eldest of two children born to Wilbur and Dora (Hahn) Shefstad. He was baptized and confirmed at the Trinity Lutheran Church in rural Marcus, Iowa. He received his education from the Marcus Community High School, graduating with the class of 1961. He then pursued higher education at the Commercial Extension Business School in Omaha, Nebraska, where he would meet his future wife.

On August 10, 1963 he was united in marriage to Linda Thorell at the First Baptist Church in Holdrege and to this union one daughter, Tari was born. The family made their home in Omaha, where Bernie was employed by McKesson Chemical, where he worked in inventory control. He then transferred with the company in 1977 to Wichita, Kansas, where he was the Office Manager. In 1979, they returned to Linda's home town of Holdrege, where Bernie was employed by W.F. Anderson. He then worked for Holdrege Seed and Farm Supply, which later in years was purchased by Cargill. Bernie continued his employment with Cargill until his retirement.

In 2002, Bernie suffered a stroke, which limited his physical abilities, yet he remained strong in his determination to fight on in life, and was a constant inspiration to his family.

Bernie was an avid Nebraska football fan. He always enjoyed tending to his yard, and was especially proud of his garden. Music was always important part of his life, and throughout the years he sang in the Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church Choir and was a member of The Group for many years. During his years in Omaha, he loved to golf, as he had a regular tee time with friends each Saturday morning. He and Linda also enjoyed being part of several card playing clubs.

Bernie was a devoted member of the Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church, where he taught Sunday school and played on the men's church softball league. In his earlier years, Bernie also enjoyed coaching little league baseball in Omaha and later softball at Holdrege.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Una Kay Kooistra on Aug. 22, 2015; and his father-in-law and mother-in-law: George and Mary Anne Thorell.

Bernie leaves to celebrate his life; his wife, Linda Shefstad of Holdrege; daughter, Tari Brayton and her husband, Michael of Holdrege; five grandchildren: Breanna, Alexa and Chloe Obermier and Chandler and Andrea Brayton; brother-in-law, Orville Kooistra of Rock Valley, Iowa; two nieces: Tami Elbers and her husband, Mike of Rock Valley and Lynn Lutz and her husband, Michael of Kansas City; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, October 1, 2015 from 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. with the family greeting from 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege.

A memorial has been established in Bernie's honor and kindly suggested to the Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church, the Christian Charity Fund or the Nebraska Prairie Museum.

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

The Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege is in charge of the arrangements.