Vera Julianne Stoeger

Tuesday, October 7, 2003

Vera Julianne Stoeger, 83, of Boelus, died Saturday, Oct. 4, 2003, at Mount Carmel Home in Kearney. Mass of Christian burial will be at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2003, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Rockville with the Rev. Tom Ryan officiating.

Visitation is Tuesday, Oct. 7, 5-8 p.m., at Apfel-O'Brien-Straatmann Funeral Home in Cairo with a 7:30 p.m., rosary service.

Memorials are suggested to the Dannebrog/Boelus EMT.

Apfel-O'Brien-Straatmann Funeral Home of Wood River and Cairo are in charge of arrangements.

She was born March 3, 1920, on the family farm in rural Sherman County, Neb., to Joseph and Minnie (Seifert) Young. She attended Souleville Country School and graduated from Boelus High School in 1938.

She was united in marriage to Walter W. Stoeger on Feb. 14, 1941 in Farwell, Neb. The couple ranched in South Dakota near the Rosebud Reservation prior to Walter's service in the US Army during World War II. Following the war, they farmed south of Rockville on the Middle Loup River until retiring to Boelus in 1970. Walter died on Nov. 30, 1975. Vera was a homemaker until her children were grown and later was a babysitter for the families in Boelus. She cared for her mother in her home for many years until her death in 1985. Vera was a good friend to her elderly neighbors in Boelus.

She belonged to Saint Mary's Catholic Church in Rockville and the Altar Society, the Boelus American Legion Auxiliary and the Boelus Friendship Club.

Vera was known for her beautiful patchwork quilts, pillows and other items she made and was generous at sharing her handiwork with family members and friends. She enjoyed gardening and was a wonderful baker and cook.

Survivors include sons, Walter W. Stoeger, Jr., of Lincoln, Louis and wife, Nancy Stoeger of North Platte, and Frank and wife, Susan Stoeger of Grand Island; daughter, Janet and husband, Colin Wilke of Kearney; nine grandchildren, one of whom lives in McCook and one granddaughter-in-law, Louis and wife, Kristy Stoeger of Juniata, Aaron of DesMoines, Iowa, Charles of Boston, Mass., Shaylynn of North Platte, Scott of Omaha, Jared and Sarah, both of Grand Island and Lydia Wilke and Stuart Wilke, both of Kearney; two great-grandsons, Tyler and Alex Stoeger of Juaniata; one sister, Norine Nielsen of Boelus; brother, Edward and wife, Mildred Young of Rockville; nieces and nephews and her friends in Boelus and Mount Carmel Home.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Walter; twin sister, Verna Palacz; and brother, William Young.