H. Lavern "Spike" Dannehl

Celebration of Life Service for H. LaVern "Spike" Dannehl will be held on Thursday, October 10, 2019 at 10:30 a.m. at the St. Paul's Lutheran Church at Bertrand, Nebraska with Pastor Wes Hafner officiating.  Interment will be held in the Highland Cemetery at Bertrand with military honors provided by the Bertrand American Legion and V.F.W. in conjunction with the United States Army Funeral Honors Team.

LaVern "Spike" Dannehl, 88 years of age, of Bertrand, passed away on Sunday, October 6, 2019, at the Bertrand Nursing Home. Spike was born May 29, 1931, on the family farm southwest of Bertrand in Gosper County, Nebraska, the younger of two sons born to Elmer and Emma (Ebmeier) Dannehl.  He received his education from Bertrand Community School, graduating from Bertrand High School with the class of 1949.  Spike then pursued higher education at Kearney State College for a year before transferring to the University of Nebraska at Lincoln, where he received his Bachelors of Science Degree in Agriculture.  While at UNL, Spike was involved in ROTC and was commissioned into the United States Army as a Lieutenant.  He was also a member of the Beta Sigma Psi fraternity, where many friendship bonds were formed.

In 1954, he was united in marriage to Patricia Ball of Ord, Nebraska at St. John's Lutheran Church in Ord, and the couple would have celebrated their 65 ^th Wedding Anniversary on October 24 ^th of this year.  To this union three children were born:  Lorri, Michael, and David.  Spike served his country during the Korean Conflict as an Artillery Instructor.  Following his honorable discharge from the Army in November of 1956, the couple returned to Bertrand to join the family farming operation.  Spike had a deep love and passion for the farming and ranching operation.

Spike was a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, where he served as high school Sunday school teacher, was a past President of the congregation, and sang in the choir for many years.

He was also active in his community serving on several boards that included:  the Bertrand Community School Board for 20 years; the Educational Service Unit #11 Board for fifteen years; and was a fixture at the northeast gate at the Bertrand Rodeo; scorekeeper for the boys basketball team for over 15 years; and kept the clock for the Bertrand Vikings football team for over 50 years.  He was a devoted New York Yankee, Bertrand Vikings, and Nebraska Husker fan.  Everyone who knew Spike well can relate to his love for sweet corn!  He was officially named the "King of Corn" at the Bertrand Parade in 2014.  Above all, his faith and family were of utmost importance to him.

Besides his parents, Spike was preceded in death by his brother, Willard Dannehl.

He leaves to celebrate his life; his wife, Pat Dannehl of Bertrand; his three children:  Lorri Davison of Hastings, Nebraska; Mike Dannehl and his wife, Linda of Bertrand; and Dave Dannehl and his wife, Stephanie of Bertrand; seven grandchildren:  Christopher Davison and his wife, Christina; Tyson Davison and his wife, Lindsay; Jeff Dannehl; Jennifer Jensen and her husband, Ross; Andrew Dannehl and his fiancé, Andrea Sheets; Haley Dannehl; and Jaden Dannehl; four great-grandchildren:  Tristen, Rhett, and Piper Davison; and Finnley Davison; sister-in-law, Janet Dannehl of Bertrand; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, October 9, 2019, from 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. with the family greeting from 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. at the St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Bertrand.

A memorial has been established in Spike's honor, and kindly suggested to the family for later designation.

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.