Neil Henry Stuhmer

Funeral services for Neil H. Stuhmer will be held on Monday, January 12, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at Peace Lutheran Church in Alma, Nebraska with Pastor Paul Ferrarone officiating. Interment will follow at the Alma Cemetery.

Neil Henry Stuhmer was born on August 22, 1940 in Holdrege, Nebraska, the younger of two children born to Henry J. and Mildred (Smith) Stuhmer. He received his early education and graduated from Alma High School with the class of 1958. He attended Wartburg College in Iowa, where he was member of the choir; and had the honor and privilege to perform with this choir in several European countries. He next attended the Illinois College of Optometry, graduating with the class of 1964. It was during his time in Chicago that he met the love of his life, Janice (Jan) Hanna. They exchanged vows at the Wesley Methodist Church in Aurora, Illinois on February 13, 1965. To this union two children were born, Timothy Neil and Tana Janel. The family made their home in Alma, where Dr. Stuhmer worked with Dr. Saub for three years, after which Dr. Saub retired and Neil bought his practice. During these busy years, Neil bought Patterson Harbor, where many new and lasting friendships and memories were made. He later sold the Harbor, while expanding his practice into Holdrege where he set up a satellite clinic which was joined by Dr. Wayne Quincy, and later, Dr. Craig McCormick. Neil retired in June, 2010, after 47 years in practice.

Neil had a great love of the outdoors; spending many an hour at the lake boating and fishing, and hunting as long as he was able. He inherited this love of the outdoors from his father, and passed it along to his son, grandchildren, and many others seeking his expertise and companionship. Neil received his Eagle Scout Award when he was a teen, and one of the big highlights of his later years was seeing his grandson, Brady, follow in these footsteps and passing down his Eagle Scout ring to him. Over the years Jan and Neil followed all their children's activities with a passion, then their nephew's, and finally their grandchildren's. Whether it was music or athletics, church or scholastic - Neil and Jan were there. Neil also was a regular at ten o'clock coffee, enjoying this time with friends.

Thursday, January 8th, 2015, Neil passed away at the Harlan County Health Systems in Alma at the age of 74. He was a lifelong member of Peace Lutheran, a former school board member, and served on various boards promoting Harlan County and the lake.

He was preceded in death by his father, Henry Stuhmer in March of 1997 and his mother Mildred in January of 2011, and his father-in-law Wayne Hanna in December 1985.

He leaves to mourn his passing; his loving and devoted wife, Jan of Alma; son, Tim and his wife, Samantha Stuhmer of Alma; daughter, Tana and her husband, Dr. David Clare of Lincoln, Nebraska; grandchildren: Brady, Alexandra, and Carlee Stuhmer of Alma, and Patrick and Thomas Clare of Lincoln; sister, Meredith Liemohn and her husband, Wendell of Knoxville, Tennesee; brothers-in-law: James Hanna and his wife, Carole of Frankfort, Illinois, Lonny Hanna and his wife, Sally of Alma; mother-in-law, Eleanor Hanna of Alma; and host of other relatives, nieces, nephews, and friends.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, January 11, 2015 from 2:00p.m.- 5:00p.m. at Peace Lutheran Church in Alma.

Memorials have been established in choice of Peace Lutheran Church, Harlan County Health Systems, or the Alma Volunteer Fire Department.

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 the arrangements