Lewis O. Gutzmann

Lewis O. Gutzmann of Emerson, NE, passed away Wednesday, June 26, 2013 at Heritage of Emerson in Emerson, NE. Visitation will be Friday, June 28, at St. Luke Lutheran Church from 3:00-8:00 p.m. The family will be present from 5:30-7:00 p.m., with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, June 29, at St. Luke Lutheran Church, Emerson, NE; Reverend Gretchen Ritola officiating. Burial will be at Rose Hill Cemetery in Emerson. Arrangements are under the direction of Munderloh – Smith Funeral Home of Emerson. Lunch will follow the funeral service at the St. Luke Lutheran Church Hall. Lewis was born January 27, 1925 in Hornick, IA, the son of Wilhelm and Ruby (Rogers) Gutzmann. Between 1925 and 1936, Lewis lived on farmland by Hornick, IA, Waterbury, NE, Martinsburg/Dixon, NE, and Hubbard, NE. In 1936, Lewis moved to a farm east of Emerson where he resided until moving into Emerson in 1985. In 2010, Lewis moved into Heritage of Emerson, where he enjoyed visiting and kidding with friends and staff. January 14, 1950, Lewis married Eleanor Helga Pedersen at St. Luke’s Church in Emerson. Lewis and Eleanor had four sons, Lewis (Butch), Stephen, Roger, and Kelvin. Lewis enjoyed life. He enjoyed farming, and was proud of his four sons who followed in his profession. He farmed and worked beside them until his last yrs. He spent time taking his grandchildren on yearly vacation/camping trips, and making unforgettable memories. He thoroughly enjoyed taking them on fishing vacations. He and his granddaughters had a routine of purchasing groceries (candy) from a grocery store, singing along with Kenny Rogers, and telling funny stories. Lewis and his grandsons had a routine of purchasing groceries (candy) from a grocery store, competing to catch the biggest fish, and also telling funny stories. Lewis truly lived, laughed and loved, not only with his family but many, many friends. Lewis is survived by his children; Lewis “Butch” (Janie) Gutzmann, Stephen (Beckie) Gutzmann, Roger (Josie) Gutzmann, and Kelvin (Lori) Gutzmann; twelve grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren, sisters; Violet (Walter) Albrecht of Emerson, NE, and Bonnie Dahms of Hornick, IA, brother; Leonard Gutzmann of Emerson, NE, and a sister-in-law Lavone Gutzmann of Virginia Beach, VA. Lewis is preceded in death by his parents; Wilhelm and Ruby Gutzmann, Eleanor; his wife of 45 years, and his brothers; William and Leslie Gutzmann.