Omar "Pete" E. Nutzman

Funeral Services for Omar E. "Pete" Nutzman will be on Tuesday, August 2, 2016 at 10:30 a.m. at the Hope Lutheran Church in rural Smithfield, Nebraska with Reverend Darrel Wissmann officiating. Interment will be held at the Riverside Cemetery in Wuanita, Nebraska at 2:30 p.m. CST. with military honors provided by the United States Army National Guard Honors Team.


Omar Ernest "Pete" Nutzman passed away on July 28, 2016 at the Christian Homes Care Community in Holdrege at the age of 96 years, 4 months and 19 days. Pete was born on March 9, 1920, the son of Omar and Ruth (Denny) Nutzman at Hamlet, Nebraska. He attended school in rural Hamlet and worked on the family ranch until he enlisted in the United States Army on February 14, 1942. Pete was involved in 6 campaigns, awarded 6 Bronze Stars during World War II and was honorably discharged on September 11, 1944.

On January 5, 1945, he was united in marriage to his true love, Lillian Gangnon and to this union 4 daughters were born: Angel, Rhea, Rhonda and Marla.

Pete moved to the Bertrand area in 1945, where he farmed and ranched. Even in his later years with cane in hand, he was still involved with working the land. The rows had to be straight, fence fixed, and weeds sprayed and mowed. Pete was an avid hunter and fisherman. He passed his love of firearms on to his daughters.

He is survived by his daughters: Angel Elledge of Superior, Nebraska, Rhea Crane and Chuck Longie of St. Michael, North Dakota, Rhonda Bennett of Bertrand, Nebraska and Marla Osborn of Leadville, Colorado; four grandchildren: Glen Crane of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Shannon Bennett and his wife, Kelly of Elwood, Nebraska, Brenda Biehl and her husband, Blaine of Cozad, Nebraska and Annie Elledge of Lincoln, Nebraska; 2 great-grandchildren, Cauy Bennett and Cambrie Elledge; one sister, Betty Davis of Omaha, Nebraska; and a host of other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife Lillian; two sisters and two sons-in-law.

Visitation will be held on Monday, August 1, 2016 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 Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege.

A memorial has been established in Pete's honor 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.