Dena M Schulke

Funeral Services for Dena M. Schulke will be held on Saturday, September 9, 2017 at 10:30 a.m. at the United Methodist Church in Alma, Nebraska with Pastor Jim Bendorf officiating.  Interment will follow at the Alma Cemetery.

Dena Margaret Schulke, 102 years of age, of Alma, passed away on Tuesday, August 29, 2017 at the Christian Homes Care Community in Holdrege, Nebraska. Dena was born August 24, 1915, on the family farm, south of Alma in Harlan County, the second of three children born to Frank Edson and Pearl Mae (Lethem) Walker. She received her education in South Central Nebraska. She then taught country school for two years prior to her marriage.

On May 28, 1935, she was united in marriage to Alvin Lyle Schulke by county Judge Long in Franklin, Nebraska, and to this union, they were blessed with three children: Judith Jane, Phillip Lyle, and Patricia Margaret. The family made their home in Naponee and Alma, where Dena focused her efforts on taking care of her family and their home. During the 1980's, Dena and Alvin owned and operated Schulke Nursery in Alma. On November 21, 1996, Alvin preceded her in death. Dena celebrated her 100 ^th birthday on August 24, 2015 and on August 25, 2017, she began to make her home at Christian Homes in Holdrege.

Dena enjoyed being outdoors and tending to her plants and flowers. She was an avid reader and loved going out to eat, but most of all, Dena enjoyed the time spent with her children, and their families. She attended the Alma Senior Center, where she enjoyed the friendships made through the years.

Dena was a member of the United Methodist Church in Alma, where she faithfully served.

Besides her parents and husband; Dena was preceded in death by two daughters: Judy Crowley and her husband, James and Pat Holverson and her husband, Winston; brothers: James Walker and Eugene Walker; and several brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.

She leaves to celebrate her life; her son, Phil Schulke and his wife, Mary Ann of Perryville, Arkansas; six grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; 1 great-great grandchild; sister-in-law, Velma Walker of Emporia, Kansas; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

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

A memorial has been established in Dena's honor and is kindly suggested to the United Methodist Church in Alma.

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

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