Wayne E. Lutjeharms

A Memorial Service for Wayne E. Lutjeharms will be held on Wednesday, June 8, 2022, at 10:00 a.m. at the United Methodist Church in Alma, Nebraska with Pastor Rod Heilbrun officiating. Following the church services, an inurnment will be held at the Naponee Cemetery in Naponee, Nebraska. A lunch and time of fellowship will follow at the Naponee Auditorium.

The funeral service will be live-streamed via the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Homes Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/Nelson-Bauer-Funeral-Homes-111601113801622

Wayne Eugene Lutjeharms, 79 years of age, of Lincoln, Nebraska, formerly of Republican City, Nebraska, passed away peacefully, on June 2, 2022, at his home surrounded by his loving family. The oldest of three children, Wayne was born on the family farm near Republican City on December 1, 1942, to Glenn and Marie (Gehrig) Lutjeharms. Wayne attended and graduated from Republican City Public Schools. He pursued higher education and received a business degree from Kearney State College before beginning his teaching career. He served our country for six years as a member of the National Guard.

On July 5, 1969, Wayne was united in marriage to Vicki Bradley in Franklin, Nebraska, and to this union, three children were born: Traci, Mark, and Kelli. Out of college, Wayne taught high school math and business classes while coaching girls' and boys' sports at Republican City, Wilsonville, and Mead. In 1976, Wayne, Vicki, and the kids moved back to Republican City, where he farmed wheat and milo and raised cattle and pigs. In 1983, he returned to teaching and coaching high school boys' basketball and multiple junior high sports at Alma Public Schools, until his retirement in 2007.

Their children brought them a tremendous amount of joy and pride as did their six grandchildren. Wayne enjoyed attending his grandchildren's activities, mostly fastpitch softball and music concerts. He also loved a good card game, especially four-point pitch, and would not be afraid to let you know when he and his partner collected "the high, the low, the jack, and the gum." Additionally, Wayne enjoyed all Husker sports, high school basketball and the annual state tournament, golf, coffee talk with the guys, organizing town team softball and basketball teams, leagues and tournaments, and snacking on candy that Vicki would keep in the candy dish or hidden away in the cupboards.

Wayne served on the Republican City Volunteer Fire Department, the Harlan County Health System Board of Trustees, and served as "Mayor" of the Village of Republican City, where he was instrumental in providing a new source of water supply to its residents.

Wayne was preceded in death by his parents; his mother-in-law, Lee (Nyberg) Bradley; and his father-in-law, Delmar "Bus" Bradley.

Wayne leaves behind his wife of nearly 53 years, Vicki Lutjeharms of Lincoln; his children: Traci Eckles of Omaha; Mark Lutjeharms and his wife, Julie of Lincoln; and Kelli Colón and her husband, Mick of Lincoln; six grandchildren: Jalyn Colón, Abby Lutjeharms, Kyndal Colón, Luke Eckles, Hayley Lutjeharms, and Maddux Eckles;  brother, Rich Lutjeharms and his wife, Janet of Alma; sister, Phyllis Lutjeharms and companion George Parker of Phillipsburg, KS; sister-in-law, Jean Illian and her husband, Dan of Lincoln; three nieces: Tonda Ross and her husband, Rod; Kami Frasier and her husband, Dusty; and Cassie Illian Taggart; one nephew, Nick Illian and his wife, Melissa; four great nieces and nephews; and many other family members, friends and former students and athletes.

There will be no visitation. The family is honoring Wayne's wish for cremation.

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

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.