Lorraine "Tippy" D. Mahler

Lorraine "Tippy" Dorothy (Backstrom) Mahler, 88 of Thurston, Nebraska passed away Friday, August 31, 2018 at Legacy Garden Rehabilitation and Living Center in Pender, Nebraska. Funeral services will be Tuesday, September 4, 2018 at 1:00 p.m. at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Pender; Pastor Karen NcNeil-Utecht will be officiating. The visitation will be Monday, September 3, 2018 from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Munderloh-Smith Funeral Home in Pender. Burial will be in the St. Mark’s Lutheran Church Cemetery in rural Pender. Memorials may be directed to the family for future designation. Arrangements are under the direction of Munderloh-Smith Funeral Home in Pender. Tippy was born March 9, 1930 in Wakefield, NE to Alfred and Ellen (Johnson) Backstrom. She was baptized and confirmed at Salem Lutheran Church in Wakefield. She graduated from Wakefield High School in 1947. After graduation, she worked at Waldbaum’s and helped on the farm. Tippy married Donald Henry Mahler on January 18, 1953 at Salem Lutheran Church and the couple had three children. Don and Tippy owned Mahler Oil Company from 1956 to 2003. She was a member of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, Thurston Legion Auxiliary and a founding member of Twin Creeks Golf Course. She was an avid Husker fan who enjoyed bowling and golfing.  Most of all, she loved spending time with her family and attending their sporting events. Tippy is survived by her children, Linda (Tim) Pawling of Fremont, NE, Jack (Cyndy) Mahler of Norfolk, NE, Donna (D.J.) Hassler of Wakefield, NE; sisters-in-laws, Norma Backstrom of Wayne, NE, Doris Backstrom of Norfolk, NE; six grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Donald; brothers, Vernon, Alden, Dean; sisters, Helen Gray, Lillian Johnson, Vivian Dow, and her in-laws.