DeWayne Lee Wolzen

Wednesday, September 26, 2018

DeWayne Lee Wolzen

July 8, 1929 - Sept. 25, 2018

CAMBRIDGE, NEB. — DeWayne Lee Wolzen, commonly known as “Bud,” age 89, of Cambridge, passed away at the Cambridge Manor on Sept. 25, 2018.

Bud was the son of Simon H. Wolzen and Freida Alvina (Ruhs), and born in rural Wilsonville, Neb., on July 8, 1929. He was the third born of six children.

He married Marilyn Joan Harding, daughter of LeRoy and Velma (Beeler) Harding, at Beaver City, Neb., on Feb. 4, 1950. He worked as a janitor and a bus driver at the school in Hendley, Neb., for a short time. In 1951, Linda Lou was born.

He was working on a farm south of Beaver City when both Marilyn and Bud decided to move to Lexington, Neb., in 1952. While living in Lexington, their family grew, Peggy Eileen, Johnny Leroy, and Colleen Marie were born. He worked for a rancher and different farmers in the area until 1964, when they moved to Sumner, Neb. They lived in the Sumner and Miller area, working for a cattle feeder and a rancher until 1979, when they moved back to Lexington and purchased a home. Bud worked at the New Holland plant there until it closed in 1982.

Bud and Marilyn moved to Gothenburg, Neb., and worked for a rancher and cattle feeder until 1989. From there they moved to Elm Creek, Neb., where he worked for a rancher and cattle feeder until 1992. They moved back to their home in Lexington, where he was semi-retired. In 1997, they sold their home and purchased a home in Cambridge. Bud became a curator at the Cambridge Museum, until due to his health, he was forced to retire in 2012.

Bud enjoyed fishing, woodworking, playing cards, and telling a good joke. He liked reading Western books and storytelling. He will be greatly missed by many.

Bud was preceded in death by his parents; son, Johnny Wolzen; sister, Velda Hill; and brother, Merlyn “Mert” Wolzen.

He is survived by his loving wife of 68 years, Marilyn; daughters, Linda (Gary “Nick”) Knickelbein of Hastings, Neb., Peg Henne of McCook, Neb., and Colleen Cherry (and significant other, Neil) of Grandfield, Okla.; six grandchildren, Jamie (Sandy) Vollmer, Sherry (Chad) Nelson, Heidi (Jim) Braden, Tina Crawford, Sandra Wolzen, and Heather Hardee; 16 great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; sister, Esther Zuehlsdorf of Cambridge; brother, Glen Wolzen of South Dakota; and sister, Gwendolyn Holtz of Kearney.

Memorials may be given in his name.

Visitation will be Friday, Sept. 28, 2018, from 5 to 7 p.m., at Lockenour Jones Mortuary, Cambridge, with family present to greet friends.

Memorial services will be Saturday, Sept. 29, 2018, 11 a.m., at Lockenour Jones Mortuary with Bill Weaver officiating. A private family inurnment will be held at a later time.

Lockenour Jones Mortuary of Cambridge is entrusted with arrangements.