Delbert L. Wallander

Funeral Services for Delbert L. Wallander will be conducted from the Trinity Evangelical Free Church in Holdrege, Nebraska on Friday, December 19, 2008 at 10:30 a.m. with Pastor Murray Jones, officiating. Interment will be in the Prairie Home Cemetery at Holdrege.

Delbert Lee Wallander, 77 years of age, of Holdrege, passed away on Tuesday, December 16, 2008 at the Holdrege Memorial Homes. Delbert was born November 8, 1931 on the family farm north of Loomis in Phelps County, Nebraska, the eldest of six children of Atlee and Mildred (Hemstrom) Wallander. Delbert started school at District #21, the Star School, north of Loomis. After the family moved, he completed his primary education at District #46, the Westmark School and then graduated from Bertrand High School with the class of 1949.

During his high school years, Delbert worked summers in the harvest fields for his aunt and uncle. After graduation, Delbert purchased a straight truck and began to haul cattle, grain and did custom hay bailing. He then began to work with his father and brothers, and engaged in custom corn shelling for 24 years.

On November 8, 1969, Delbert was united in marriage to Virginia Schoenthal. In the early 1970's, the couple bought a home on Garfield Drive in Holdrege. Delbert and Virginia then purchased Loomis Pipe and Irrigation from his aunt and uncle. He owned and operated this business for a number of years, eventually retiring in the late 1990's. In June of 1992, his wife, Virginia, preceded him in death.

He enjoyed spending time at the Holdrege Senior Center, playing cards and bingo. Delbert had made his home at Holdrege Memorial Homes since November of 2006.

He leaves to mourn his passing his two brothers: Bruce Wallander and his wife, Darlene of Bertrand and Robert Wallander and his wife, Mary of Loomis; three sisters: Violet Peterson and her husband, Roger of Holdrege, Sharon Florom and her husband, Rodger of Lincoln, Nebraska and Carmen Stradal and her husband, Franklin of Holdrege; three step-sons: Jim Schoenthal of Holdrege, Albert Schoenthal of Kearney, Nebraska and David Schoenthal of Chandler, Arizona; special friend, Edna Bruno of Holdrege; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Besides his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents.

Delbert will lie in state at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege on Thursday, December 18, 2008 from 1:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. with the family greeting from 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

A memorial has been established in his memory and will be designated at a later date.

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.