May 18, 1935 – June 23, 2025

Evelyn M. Abele, age 90, of Lincoln, Nebraska, passed away peacefully on June 23, 2025. Born on May 18, 1935, in Huntley, Nebraska, she was the daughter of George and Agnes Shipferling.

Evelyn was a devoted wife, loving mother, proud grandmother, and cherished friend. Known for her gentle spirit, unwavering kindness, and deep compassion, Evelyn touched the lives of all who knew her. She found great joy in her family and lived her life with quiet strength and grace.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Darrell Abele; her sons, David and Daniel; her sister, Alvera; and her brother, Earl Dean.

She leaves behind a legacy of love in the hearts of her family, including her sons: Douglas (Julia), Dennis, Gordan, and Clifford; thirteen grandchildren; and twelve great-grandchildren.

A visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Monday, June 30th at the Historic Wyuka Rudge Chapel, 3600 “O” Street, Lincoln. Funeral services will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday at United Lutheran Church, 5945 Fremont Street, Lincoln.

Evelyn’s life was a testament to faith, family, and quiet perseverance. She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered.

The post Evelyn M. Abele appeared first on Wyuka Funeral Home & Cemetery.

Alex Casas Jr., 24, of Lincoln, passed away June 12, 2025. Native memorial services will be held 1:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Sunday, June 22, at Wyuka Historic Stables.

The post Alex Abdiel Casas Jr. appeared first on Wyuka Funeral Home & Cemetery.

Sadie (Silva) Helms a beloved mother, partner, and friend, passed away peacefully June 10, 2025 surrounded by family. Born June 5, 1947 in Rociada, New Mexico to Eufracio and Sofia (Romero) Silva. Sadie married Alan Paul Helms in 1969 and together they had Alan Gene in 1970 and Kevin Michael in 1973.

Sadie’s heart belonged to her sons, who were the pride and joy of her life. Her love for them was fierce, unwavering, and evident in every word she spoke and every action she took. Her home was always a place of comfort and unconditional love.

She created a deep and lasting bond with her life partner, Gene Schoeppner. Together, they built a life full of quiet moments, shared dreams, and enduring love. Their connection was a source of strength and joy to those who knew them.

To know Sadie was to love Sadie. She found beauty in life’s simple pleasures and had a special love for sunflowers – bright, cheerful, and always reaching for the light, much like she did throughout her life. To Sadie, family was everything. Whether gathered around a table, phone calls with those from afar, or during life’s celebrations and challenges, her presence made every moment more meaningful. She will be remembered for her kind heart, her unwavering devotion to those she loved, and the way she made everyone feel like family. Sadie’s legacy lives on in the love she gave so freely and the memories she leaves behind. She will be deeply missed and forever cherished.

Sadie was preceded in death by parents Eufracio and Sofia, sister Onesima (Harry) Nolan, brother Fracio Silva, husband Alan Paul Helms, son Alan Gene Helms, brothers-in-law Anthony Martinez and Mickey Copeland, and mother-in-law Martha (Merle) Mayer.

Sadie is survived by son Kevin (Whittney) Helms of Cortland, grandsons Trent (Alex) Helms of Beatrice and Carson (Lillie) Helms of Cortland, partner Eugene Schoeppner of Lincoln, sisters Ida Martinez of Albuquerque, NM, Stella Copeland of Albuquerque, NM, brothers Ben (Shirley) Silva of Rio Rancho, NM and Joe (Jennifer) Silva of Rociada, NM, brothers-in-law Ric (Barb) Helms of Pawnee City, David Helms of Auburn, and Mark (Nettie) Mayer of Marthon FL, sisters-in-law Renee Helms of Papillion, Sam (Tom) Mayer of Omaha, JJ (Dee) Adams of Lincoln, Jeanette Knight of Carroll, IA, stepdaughters Jill (Dan) Hurtz of Lincoln and Beth (Jeff) Miller of Lincoln, stepson Troy (Becky) Schoeppner of Kansas City, step grandchildren Morgan Hurtz of Lincoln, Farren Hurtz of Lincoln, Cole Miller of Lincoln, Lily (Nolan) Dean of Kansas City, Colby Schoeppner of Kansas City, Landry Schoeppner of Kansas City, Laney Schoeppner of Kansas City, and great grandchild Wilder Dean of Kansas City.

Visitation will take place Monday, June 16, 2025, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., at the Historic Rudge Chapel located in Wyuka Cemetery at 3600 “O” Street, Lincoln, NE 68510. Rosary will follow at 7:30 p.m.

Funeral services will be at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, June 17, 2025, at North American Martyrs Catholic Church located at 1101 Issac Drive in Lincoln, NE 68521.

Memorials may be directed to son, Kevin Helms, to be donated to charities that Sadie was passionate about at a later date.

The post Sadie Helms appeared first on Wyuka Funeral Home & Cemetery.

November 13, 1938 – May 27, 2025

Lois Watts, age 86, passed away peacefully on May 27, 2025. Born on a farm 13 miles outside of Thomas, Oklahoma, Lois was the eldest of four siblings – Perry, Linda, and Nell. From an early age, Lois stood out for her intelligence, drive, and compassion. She graduated as Co-Valedictorian from Thomas High School in 1957, earning numerous scholastic awards and being voted “Most Likely to Succeed” – a title she lived up to in every way.

She began her academic journey on a music scholarship at Southwestern State College in Weatherford, Oklahoma. It was during this time that a Methodist minister introduced her to the love of her life, Darrell Watts of Martha, Oklahoma. Recognizing their shared ambition and strength of character, the minister proved to be quite the matchmaker. Lois and Darrell married and continued their studies at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, where Lois majored in Home Economics.

In 1959, their daughter Sylvia was born in Stillwater. When their son Joel was born in 1964 in Corvallis, Oregon, with Down Syndrome, Lois made the selfless decision to change her major to Special Education. She dedicated herself to learning how to make Joel’s life – and the lives of others with disabilities – richer and more fulfilling.

Lois and Darrell’s adventurous spirit took them around the globe, where they immersed themselves in different cultures and sought to understand the lives of others. Lois earned her Ph.D. from the University of Nebraska and devoted her career to Special Education. After relocating to Lincoln, Nebraska, she taught for Lincoln Public Schools and retired from Lincoln East High School in 2000. She also played a vital role in helping many individuals from the Beatrice State Developmental Center (BSDC) transition into welcoming communities while living in the North Platte area.

Lois was known for her deep love of learning, her generous heart, and her lifelong commitment to helping others. She was also an avid gardener who found great joy in planting, pruning, and preparing delicious meals from the fruits of her labor – especially cherry pies and fresh green beans, a favorite of her son Joel.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Darrell Watts (2017); daughter Sylvia Kelly (2018); son-in-law Danny Kelly (2018); son Joel Watts (2020); her parents and in-laws; and her brother Perry Johnston.

Lois leaves behind a legacy of love, resilience, and compassion that will continue to inspire all who knew her. She was truly a blessing to many – both those who knew her personally and those who benefited from her selfless work.

A memorial service honoring Lois’s life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, June 20, 2025, at the Historic Rudge Chapel at Wyuka Cemetery, 3600 “O” Street, Lincoln, Nebraska. Interment will follow at Wyuka Cemetery, with a reception afterward in the Historic Stables at Wyuka.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Alzheimer’s Association or The Arbors Memory Care through The Legacy:
https://www.alz.org/nebraska
https://www.legacyretirement.com/communities/legacy-arbors

Lois’s beautiful spirit lives on in all who were blessed to know her.

The post Lois Watts appeared first on Wyuka Funeral Home & Cemetery.

Ralph Allen Stump of Beatrice was born March 31, 1933 and passed away at the age of 92, on June 6, 2025, in Beatrice.  He was born in Beatrice to the late Lucille (Maiwald) and Ted Stump.  Ralph graduated from Beatrice High School in 1951.  He attended Texas A&M for one year transferred to and graduating from the University of Nebraska where he was a member of Delta Tau Delta fraternity.   After graduation he was employed by Western Electric in Chicago and then in Omaha.  He has been affiliated with and had been owner of Beatrice Iron & Metal Co. since 1960.  He has been a member of and on the Board of Directors of the Beatrice Community Chest, the Beatrice Chamber of Commerce, the Beatrice Country Club, the Beatrice National Bank, and the Beatrice Rotary Club.  He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 59 years, Radene Goldberg Stump and his parents, Lucille and Ted Stump.   He is survived by his sister-in-law, Audrey Goldberg Sachs of Dayton, Ohio.

Services will be held indoors at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 24, 2025, at the Historic Wyuka Stables. Prior to services, do to possible inclement weather a procession take place passing where he will be laid to rest next to his beloved wife. Procession to the gravesite will begin at 1:15 p.m. from Wyuka Funeral Home, 3600 “O” Street, Lincoln. Light reception will follow the service at the Historic Stables at Wyuka. Friends and associates are invited to attend.  In lieu of flowers, it is requested that donations be made to the Radene Goldberg Stump Scholarship Trust, Pinnacle Bank, 523 Court Street, Beatrice, NE 68310 or a charity of your choice.

The post Ralph Allen Stump appeared first on Wyuka Funeral Home & Cemetery.

Calvin West, 86, of Lincoln, passed away May 28, 2025. Graveside service will be held 10:00 a.m. Monday, June 9, at Wyuka Cemetery. Memorials to Mental Health Association of Nebraska.

The post Calvin J. West appeared first on Wyuka Funeral Home & Cemetery.

Paul E. Sayer, 81, of Lincoln passed away May 27, 2025, while listening to his children, who were out on the front porch sharing stories and memories of a life well lived.  Born in McCook, Nebraska, growing up on the east side of Cambridge, he Graduated from Cambridge Public School and McCook Community College.  After attending UNL, he joined the Navy.  While in the Navy, he met the love of his life in New York City.  He brought that city girl back to Lincoln Nebraska and for the next 55 years made a family and a home.  Paul’s passion was architecture and all things beautiful.  Over the course of 50 years, he drew close to 10,000 sets of house plans, giving generations to come a place to call home.  Paul never missed a road trip to see the beauty all around us.  Paul loved a good political debate and would remind us all to vote at every election, even the local ones.

Paul is survived by that love of his life, Louise (Butler) Sayer; Children Janice (Joe) Dodge, Gloria (Robert) Eddins, Tyler (Megan) Brown.   Siblings; Catherine Fischer, Howard (Linda) Sayer, Frank (Ruth) Sayer; Grandchildren Philip (Aubrey) Eddins, Samantha Eddins, Joseph Dodge, James Dodge, Crystal Eddins, Miles Eddins, Jaclyn (Dylan) Swedlund, James Brennan and great-grandchildren Colton Anderson, Genevieve Eddins, Lucas Eddins. Numerous Nieces and Nephews and hundreds of cousins.

Preceded in death by his siblings, George and Walter.

Memorial Service: 11 a.m. Monday, June 2, 2025, at Rudge Chapel (Wyuka) 3600 “O” Street, Lincoln, NE 68510, reception to follow. Memorials to the family for further designation.

The post Paul E. Sayer appeared first on Wyuka Funeral Home & Cemetery.

After graduation, John joined the United States Marine Corps.  John completed Basic Training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego and Combat Training at Camp Pendelton in Oceanside, California.  After his training, John was stationed at Naval Air Station Kodiak at Kodiak Island, Alaska.  John spent his service time in Alaska as base security; John’s service to his country was something he held as a personal pride until the end of his life.

After serving his time in the Marine Corps, John returned home to Lincoln and met Ann Jones, the love of his life and affectionally referred to her as Annie-O.  John and Ann met on a blind date that was set by two mutual friends.  Quickly, the two started a family welcoming Jennifer, John’s only daughter, and then John David the second, his namesake and first-born son.  Just when they thought their family was complete and nearly nine years later came their last son, Christian, who like John was the youngest and spoiled unconditionally.

John worked as a salesman for most of his life.  He worked for companies with common transportation markets and various departments of roads companies like Lincoln Steel, Capital Steel, and All Roads Supply.  The life of a traveling salesman came with its challenges and later in life John found his second set of friends in Alcoholics Anonymous.  John’s sobriety saved his life, and he successfully completed 33 years of sobriety on December 6, 2024.

John was an avid sporting man.  His passions were hunting with his two sons and close friends over the years, annual fishing trips with his wife, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren to Minnesota, Lake Erie and Canada. He loved baseball, specifically the Cleveland Indians, treating his wife, children, and grandchildren to many Indians games.

John passed away peacefully on Friday, May 2, 2025, with his family nearby.  John is preceded in death by his parents Gus & Dorothy Koenig; sisters, Virginia Robinson, Joan Oblonsky, and Shirley Kulawik.  John is survived by his wife, Ann Koenig; sister, Gretchen Fitzpatrick of Topeka, KS; daughter, Jennifer and James Heck of Lincoln, NE; sons, John and Angela Koenig of Fremont, NE, Christian and Misty Koenig of Lincoln, NE.  John is also survived by six grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

Good night, sweet prince.

Visitation is Thursday, May 8, 2025, from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM. Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 AM, Friday, May 9, 2025, at Wyuka Funeral Home, 3600 “O” Street, Lincoln, NE 68510.

Memorials may be donated to Toys for Tots HERE.

The post John David Koenig appeared first on Wyuka Funeral Home & Cemetery.

He married Myrta Ruth Arnold on January 17th of 1970 in Lincoln where they made their home and raised their two sons, Daniel and John. After nearly 40 years together Myrta passed from cancer, just as a new family chapter had begun. Grandchildren…beautiful, active grandchildren.

It wasn’t long and there were four grandkids, three little boys and one little girl who completely changed his life and became his new priority. After 45 years of dedicated service with the State of Nebraska as a computer programmer and IT specialist he retired and became a full-time Grandpa to Caleb, Blake, Jude and Zach. His “home away from home” became ball fields, gymnasiums and auditoriums. There were school programs, T-ball, baseball, softball, soccer, flag football, basketball and gymnastics. Lee missed very few activities and made sure he had the right equipment to photograph and record it all, whether it was local or out of state, inside or outside, rain or shine, he had it covered. As the kids got older, he would take them on weekend trips to Adventure-land or Lake Okoboji. These were some of his favorite outings and another chance to spoil his grandkids.

When there were no “kid activities” on his schedule he kept busy with disc golf (20 yrs), racquetball (50+ yrs), pickle-ball (10+ yrs), bicycling (25+ yrs) and riding his motorcycle and scooter. He watched Caleb and Blake graduated from High School and Caleb graduated from UNL. He’s watched as Jude and Zach continued to grow revisiting many of the same haunts he had with Caleb and Blake. The Children’s Museum, Morrill Hall and the Children’s Zoo, always smiling and enjoying the moment.

Lee is survived: by his sons Daniel (Katie) Hansen, John (Casie Pruss) Hansen of Lincoln, Ne: brother David Hansen of Havelock, IA: Grandchildren Caleb, Blake, Jude, Zachary, 3 Nephews and several grand Nephews and Nieces.

Lee was proceeded in death by his wife Myrta Hansen, parents John & Lorraine Hansen and sister Joanne Lewis.

The celebration of his life will be 2:00 p.m. Sunday, May 4, at Wyuka Funeral Home, Lincoln. Memorials to the Lincoln Children Museum.

The post Lee Hansen appeared first on Wyuka Funeral Home & Cemetery.

NOTICE AND AGENDA OF QUARTERLY MEETING WYUKA BOARD OF TRUSTEES April 30 2025 Revision 042925

The post NOTICE MEETING OF WYUKA BOARD OF TRUSTEES appeared first on Wyuka Funeral Home & Cemetery.