Wayne R Lofquist

Funeral Services for Wayne R. Lofquist will be held on Monday, November 7, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. at the Westmark Evangelical Free Church north of Loomis, Nebraska with Pastor Mike Hellum officiating. Interment will be in the Sandstrom Cemetery in rural Phelps County, Nebraska.

Wayne Robert Lofquist, 88 years of age, of rural Bertrand, Nebraska, passed away on Wednesday, November 2, 2016 at his home northeast of Bertrand. Wayne was born April 13, 1928 on the family farm in Harlan County, near Rockfalls, Nebraska, the second of three children born to Melvin and Ada (York) Lofquist. He was baptized at the United Methodist Church in Loomis in 1936. Wayne received his primary education from the Union School near Rockfalls and then continued his education at Loomis High School and Holdrege High School.

Growing up on the farm, Wayne had a passion for horses. As a young boy he always had saddle horses and eventually this interest grew into Belgium horse teams. He attended many horse shows and parades over the years. For many years, he was a member of the Sod Busters Saddle Club and later the Mid-Valley Saddle Club. Many long friendships were formed over the years being part of these saddle clubs.

On August 27, 1950 he was united in marriage to Roma Jean Freburg at the Westmark Evangelical Free Church and to this union three daughters were born: Wanda Kay, Donna Jean and Lorri Ann. The family made their home on the farm northeast of Bertrand, where Wayne engaged in farming and raised cattle. They were honored with the Ak-Sar-Ben Pioneer Farm Family Award in 2005.

Wayne accepted Christ at an early age. Following his marriage to Roma Jean, he became a member of the Westmark Evangelical Free Church, where he served on the church board. He also served on the Sandstrom Cemetery Board for 39 years, the Bertrand CO-OP Oil Board, and when the girls were young he was active as a Horse 4-H Leader.

Wayne and Roma Jean enjoyed traveling, and throughout the years they traveled to every state and several countries abroad. He also enjoyed reading, and his passion in life was his horses and cattle. He loved taking the grandchildren on many wagon trains, trail rides and horse shows.

He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Donna Linder in 1998; and brother, Clyde Lofquist.

Wayne leaves to celebrate his life; his wife of 66 years, Roma Jean of rural Bertrand; two daughters: Wanda Davis and Fritz Beckenbach of Kearney, Nebraska and Lorri Billeter of Bertrand; son-in-law, Greg Linder and his wife, Sharon of Loomis, Nebraska; eight grandchildren: Adrienne Davis, Amy Morris and her husband, Ryan, Kevin Wayne Davis and his wife, Beth, Charlie Linder and his wife, Abby, Kendra Virgil and her husband, Tim, Tessa Bowen, Alex Bowen and his wife, Laura, and Hayley Bowen; five great-grandchildren: Harrison and Jack Morris, Owen and Quentin Virgil, and Kinzley Bowen; one sister, Doris Reisig of Scottsbluff, Nebraska; sister-in-law, Elinor Lofquist of Elwood, Nebraska; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, November 6, 2016 from 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. with the family greeting from 1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege, Nebraska.

A memorial has been established in Wayne's honor and kindly suggested to the Westmark Evangelical Free Church, the Bertrand Senior Center, or the Nebraska Prairie Museum.

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.