Richard L Aldrich

Mass of Christian Burial for Richard L. "Rich" Aldrich will be held on Wednesday, March 22, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at the All Saints Catholic Church in Holdrege, Nebraska with Father Thomas Lux as Celebrant. Interment will be held following the services at the Prairie Home Cemetery in Holdrege.

Richard Leroy "Rich' Aldrich, 82 years of age, of Holdrege, passed away on Friday, March 17, 2017 at his home in Holdrege, following a courageous battle with cancer. Rich was born October 26, 1934 at Ord, Nebraska, the eldest of three children born to LaVern and Helen (Travis) Aldrich. He received his primary education from a rural school south of Ord, and then attended Ord Public Schools, graduating from Ord High School with the class of 1952. Out of high school, Rich was employed by Lincoln Steel in Lincoln, Nebraska. He later moved to Holdrege to run the Apco service station on 4th Ave. He was employed by Becton-Dickinson until deciding to make his passion of carpentry his lifetime career. Due to his humble disposition, Rich wouldn't want the title, but he was truly a master carpenter. Whether he was building a china cabinet, roll-top desk, or the finish work in a home; each project ended up as a work of art. In his later years, he was very proud to work side-by-side with his son, Randy in Aldrich Construction.

On September 4,1952, he was united in marriage to B. Jane Sternberg and to this union five children were born: Randy, Kate, Robert, Joni and Ann. The couple raised their family in Holdrege. Jane passed away on August 5, 1976. During the next twenty years, Rich focused his efforts on his family and career. On January 30, 1996, he was united in marriage to Wanda Irene Hastings, and the couple continued to reside in Holdrege. During his retirement years, Rich enjoyed camping, attending NASCAR races, and tending to his yard, garden and rose bushes.

Rich was affiliated with the All Saints Catholic Church and was a member of the Eagles for several years.

Besides his parents and first wife, Jane; he was preceded in death by his daughter, Joni; and brothers-in-law: Lloyd Zigler, Wayne Hastings, and Dale VanBoening.

Rich leaves to celebrate his life; his wife, Wanda Aldrich of Holdrege; four children: Randy Aldrich and his wife, Deb of Holdrege, Kate Aldrich and her husband, Tim Shaffer of Las Vegas, Nevada, Robert Aldrich of Denver, Colorado, and Ann Aldrich and her husband, Mansour Parsaye of Colorado Springs, Colorado; four grandchildren: Nicole Aldrich and fiance Kevin Himel, Kelsi and her husband, Jason Bose, and Mariam Parsaye and Arash Parsaye; three great grandchildren: Alexis Johnson, Connor and Easton Bose; four step-children: Diane Priest and her husband, Marc of McCook, Nebraska, Brenda Branstiter and her husband, Tim of Grand Island, Nebraska, Donna Ehrlich and her husband, Jeff of Parksville, Missouri, and Doris Chevalier and her husband, Tim of Sutherland, Nebraska; 16 step grandchildren; 31 step great-grandchildren; one brother, Roger Aldrich and his wife, Janice, and sister, Karen Zigler all of Grand Island; sister-in-law, Delores VanBoening of Wallace, Nebraska; brother-in-law, Gary Hastings and his wife, Rosalie of Scottsbluff, Nebraska; and a host nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, March 21, 2017 from 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. with the family greeting from 5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., with a Wake Service at 7:00 p.m. at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege.

A memorial has been established in Rich's honor and kindly suggested to the All Saints Catholic Church, Christian Charity Fund of Holdrege, or the local chapter of the American Cancer Society.

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.