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Charles “Chuck” Messerschmidt Jr, age 86 of Lexington, NE died peacefully at home June 22, 2022 after bravely battling pancreatic cancer. He was born February 10, 1936, to Charley and Blanche (Kruger) Messerschmidt in Sioux City, IA. He was baptized February 29, 1936 at Grace Lutheran Church in Wayne, NE. He was confirmed on May 28, 1950 at Grace Lutheran Church also in Wayne, NE.

He attended Wayne High School in Wayne, NE and graduated in 1954, then attended Wayne State Teachers College, graduating in 1958 with a bachelor’s degree in music education.

On June 16, 1957 he married Maydelle Echtenkamp at Grace Lutheran Church in Wayne, NE. They recently celebrated their 65th anniversary. God blessed their marriage with two children, a daughter, Carla and a son, Kelly.

He began his career in education teaching band in Wakefield, NE. In 1960 he moved to Albion, NE where he taught band and choir. He continued his education receiving a master’s degree in music from the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley, CO. In 1965 his career took him to William Penn College in Oskaloosa, IA where he taught choir and music education classes. Finally, in 1967 he relocated to Lexington, NE where he taught band, then transitioned into educational media until he retired in 1994.

An avid musician, his passion for music spanned many genres from church music to big band to jazz. He loved playing and teaching music and his music will live on through all the people he taught and inspired! He was a member of and organist at Trinity Lutheran Church for 55 years. In addition, he has played the organ at various local churches and for decades has played Taps for military funerals. He was the leader of the Night Caps, his dance band that played in many venues around the state of Nebraska. He had been president of Trinity Lutheran Congregation and continued to serve as an Elder of the church. He also served on the Lexington City Council from 1976-1980.

Chuck loved spending time outside working on his lawn or in his garden and pumpkin patch. He enjoyed time with his grandsons, especially outside building snowmen and doing woodworking projects with them. He loved decorating the outside of the house for all holidays, especially Halloween and Christmas. After he retired you could find him in his workshop refinishing antiques or putting a fresh coat of paint on houses around Lexington. Chuck loved to bring a smile to the face of everyone he knew always taking the time to share a story!

He is survived by his wife, Maydelle Messerschmidt, daughter, Carla (John) Pfeifer of Inver Grove Heights, MN, three grandsons, Christopher (Meredyth) Pfeifer of St. Louis Park, MN, Michael Pfeifer of Omaha, NE, Daniel Pfeifer of Inver Grove Heights, MN, and a daughter-in-law, Jane Messerschmidt of Lincoln NE.

Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his stepmother, Elinor Messerschmidt and his son, Kelly Messerschmidt.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Monday, June 27 at 11:00 am at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lexington with Pastor Rob Kuefner, officiating. The service will be live-streamed via the Trinity Lutheran Church website, www.tlclex.org

There will be a visitation on Sunday, June 26 from 6:00 – 8:00 pm at Reynolds-Love Funeral home in Lexington.

Cremation will follow the Celebration of Life service and burial will be held at a later date.

Memorials will go to Trinity Lutheran Church and other organizations to ensure that his love for church music continues.

Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington is honored to be assisting the family with arrangements.

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Beverly 'Bev' J. Gierhan, age 83, of Kearney, passed away Saturday, May 14, 2022 at her home.

Visitation will be 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm, Friday, May 20, 2022 at Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl Funeral Home.

Funeral services will be conducted at Holy Cross Lutheran Church of Kearney at 10:00 am, Saturday, May 21, 2022 with Pastor John Rasmussen officiating.

Burial will follow at the Greenwood Cemetery in Franklin, NE.

Beverly (Bev) Gierhan (Schmidt) was born on Valentine's Day in North Platte, Nebraska to Charles and Doris (Hall) Schmidt. She grew up and attended rural schools in the sandhills of McPherson and Hooker counties until the age of 12. The family then moved to a ranch in Garfield County near Chambers. After graduating from Burwell High School, she attended Kearney State College where she earned her degree in teaching.

Her teaching career began in rural schools in Thomas, Garfield and Holt counties, ending in the Lexington Public School system for 41 years total. After her retirement, she did substitute teaching for Kearney Public Schools. During her full-time teaching career, she was a member of several educational organizations and held offices in some. They were: Delta Kappa Gamma, Alpha Delta Gamma, P.E.O. and N.S.E.A.

She married Martin (Bud) Gierhan at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lexington. They lived in Lexington until 1993 when they moved to Kearney to be nearer family. Her greatest joy was spending time with her two sons, Mike and Jim and four grandchildren that called her Momo: Jonathan Gierhan, Jenny Gierhan Fisher, Adam Gierhan and Ryan Gierhan. She was also an avid reader, afghan crocheter, and crafter. She enjoyed being with her friends painting, sewing, crafting, growing flowers and going to dances with Bud. She was a member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church and participated in Lutheran Women's Missionary League.

Survivors include son Jim and wife Rhonda Gierhan of Clay Center, Kan.; daughter-in-law Susan Gierhan; grandchildren, Jonathan and wife Sarah Gierhan of Kearney, Jenny and husband Evan Fisher of Lincoln, Adam and wife Amanda Gierhan and Ryan and Rebecka Gierhan of Clay Center, Kan.; six great grandchildren, Ava, Izzy, Owen, Konnor, Mia, & Abigail; a brother David and wife Barb Schmidt of Chelsea, Ala.; other relatives and friends.

Beverly is proceeded in death by her parents, husband Bud Gierhan, son Mike Gierhan and brother Gary Schmidt.

Memorials are suggested to the family to be designated later. Please visit www.hlmkfuneral.com to leave a tribute or message of condolence.

Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl Funeral and Cremation Services in Kearney are in charge of arrangements.

Barbara Dorotha “Barb” Poehler, 79, of Cozad, Nebraska died Saturday, April 9, 2022 at her home south of Cozad.

Barb was born July 3rd, 1942 in Gothenburg, Nebraska to Gus and Dorotha (Wells) Anderson. She was confirmed at the First Presbyterian Church in Cozad. She graduated from Cozad High School in 1960. She attended Kearney State College and graduated with a teaching degree in elementary education.

Barb was united in marriage to Ervin “Andy” Poehler on June 30, 1963 at the First Presbyterian Church in Cozad, Nebraska. Barb and Andy were blessed with two daughters; Beth and Jeannie.

Barb was a 50 plus year member of the First Presbyterian Church in Lexington where she chaired many serving committees over the years. She was a Dawson County Hospice volunteer and a member of the Southside Garden Club. She was inducted into the Order of the Eastern Star at Nebraska Grand Chapter. She also spent many hours volunteering with Dawson County 4-H.

Barb was an educator. Beth and Jeannie learned at an early age that a vacation with the Plum Creekers Drill Team also meant visits to museums, art galleries and points of history along the way. Barb loved classical music and her radio was always tuned to public radio. Before her eyesight began to fail, she was a voracious reader and loved to do the crossword puzzle in the Omaha World Herald. A favorite family trip was to the Colorado Rockies in the fall when the Aspen leaves were at their most breathtaking. Barb loved flowers and she spent many hours in her yard with her constant companion, Shadow. She was very interested in world affairs and loved to argue politics. She was also a great listener and very involved in the farm up until her death.

Barb started her career as a teacher at Pershing Elementary in Lexington, Nebraska. She then taught at Eustis Public Schools. She left teaching when her children were young and she and her mother owned and operated the Lynne Shop in Gothenburg; a woman and children’s clothing store. She was an integral part of the farming operation with Andy, spending many hours discing and running the grain cart. She hauled anhydrous tanks, ran for parts and provided countless field meals all while making sure the girls were fed and their homework done. Barb taught GED classes at Central Community College for many years. She returned to teaching in 1993, first substituting at Lexington High School then joining the staff as the In School Suspension teacher, where she was known as the warden. She retired from teaching in May.

Barb is survived by daughters; Beth (Randy) Rogers of Lexington and Jeannie (Corey) Burns of Cozad. 5 beloved grandchildren; Ross Rogers of Lincoln, Haley Rogers of Lexington, and Sophia, Rebecca and Kristina Burns of Cozad. She also leaves behind two sisters: Judy (Dale) Biehl of Lexington and Alana (Ken) Muchmore of Riverdale as well as her nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

Barb was preceded in death by her husband, Andy, parents, brother, Alan, in-laws Ervin and Anna Poehler; and her brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Harold and Margaret Biehl.

Barb’s family will be receiving friends on Thursday, April 14th from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church at 8th and Lincoln in Lexington.

A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, April 15th at 11:00 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in Lexington with the Reverend Eddie Mariel, officiating.

A private burial service will be held prior to the Memorial Service at Fairview Cemetery south of Cozad.

Memorials are suggested to the First Presbyterian Church, the Lexington Education Association Scholarship fund, or the Dawson County 4-H Café.

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Norman Lee Lans, age 84, of Lexington, Nebraska, passed away peacefully on September 25, 2021 at Lexington Regional Health Center. Norman was born on July 28, 1937, at their Harlan County farmstead, to Clare and Ethel (Anderson) Lans and grew up on the farm. Norm was the oldest of three siblings; his sister Carolyn recalls their younger brothers Larry and Dean asking their dad “why does Norman always get to drive the tractor?” Norm remained a farmer at heart throughout his life.
After he graduated from Stamford High School in 1955, he attended Kearney State College earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Education. Norman taught Industrial Arts in Republican City. On June 12, 1960 Norm married his high school sweetheart, Jonelle Pentz, at the Lutheran Church in Stamford.
A short time later, they moved to Lexington, both joining the Lexington Public School System. Three children were blessed to their marriage; Lynn, Lori, and Jennifer. Norm was always proud of his children and enjoyed a full life in Lexington raising their family in the Presbyterian Church. His faith in the Lord was strong, he was a gentle soul and was a very committed man to his family and friends. He served on the First Presbyterian Church Session.
Norm was an accomplished home builder and woodworker, taught school for two decades, worked at Sperry New Holland manufacturing, Valley Sales and retired from The City of Lexington. He enjoyed being with family and friends in Apache Junction, AZ, during his retirement. Although he was a man of few words, his family prayers were from the heart, and he loved talking about Arizona.
Norm enjoyed Husker football, gospel and country music, and took up dancing. He and Jonelle enjoyed going to many dances in Central Nebraska with a group of friends. Norman took his family on numerous camping trips to scenic sites all across America.
Survivors include his wife, Jonelle of Lexington; his children, Lynn (Janice) Lans of Lexington, Lori (Paul) Maloley of Omaha and Jennifer (Steve) Riddell of Elkhorn; seven grandchildren, Justin (Da’Lacy) Lans, Jillian (Justin) Dowdy, Jacey (Austin) Klemm, Ryan (MacKenzie) Maloley, Liz (Nick) Ketcham, Scott and Sarah Riddell; nine great-grandchildren; brother, Dean (Billie Jean) Lans of Stamford; sister, Carolyn (Terry) Hendricks of Colorado Springs, Colorado; and sisters-in-law, Carolyn Lans of Medford, Oregon and Pat Pentz of Lexington; as well as nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.
Besides his parents, Norman was preceded in death by a grandson, Jason Lans; infant brother, Frank; brother, Larry; sister-in-law, Catherine Lans; brothers-in-law, Ron Stafford and Roger Pentz; and a nephew, David Stafford.
A Memorial Service will be on Wednesday, September 29, 2021 at 10:30 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in Lexington with Reverend Eddie Mariel, officiating.
A Memorial Book Signing with family receiving friends will be held on Tuesday, September 28, 2021 from 6-8 p.m. at Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington.
Inurnment will be in Greenwood Cemetery at Lexington.
Memorials are kindly suggested to the First Presbyterian Church, Nebraska Chapter – Alzheimer’s Association or American Cancer Society - Relay For Life of Dawson County.
Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington is honored to be assisting the family with arrangements. Please share online condolences with the family by visiting: reynoldslovefunerahome.com