William Durkop, 92, of Columbus, Nebraska, died Friday, June 20, 2008, at the Columbus Community Hospital.

The funeral service will be Tuesday, June 24, 10:30 A.M. at Trinity Lutheran Church with Rev. Wayne Nestor officiating. Interment will be in the Roselawn Memorial Cemetery with military honors by the American Legion Hartman Post #84. Visitation will be on Monday from 4:00 - 7:00 P.M. at the Gass Haney Funeral Home and on Tuesday from 9:30 - 10:30 A.M. at the church with a family prayer service at 10:15 A.M.

William Durkop was born January 22, 1916, on the family farm in rural Platte County, Nebraska, to William F. and Marie (Mathis) Durkop.  He was baptized at his parents home and was confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church in Columbus. William attended District #80 School, and was drafted into the United States Army Air Corp on April 2, 1942, serving during WWII.  He was honorably discharged on December 8, 1945.  William farmed with his father and his brother Elno for several years.  He married Mabel Dicke on May 2, 1954, at St. John's Lutheran Church, Shell Creek.  William farmed and worked at Behlen Manufacturing for 20 years.  He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church where he had served on the church council.  He enjoyed hunting, blue rock shooting, and visiting with family and friends.

William is survived by:

Son - Dennis Durkop of Columbus, NE

Brother-in-law and sister-in-law - Leonard & Katherine Dicke of Columbus, NE

Sister-in-law - LaVonne Loseke of Kearney, NE

Sister-in-law - Elva Dicke of Columbus, NE

Sister-in-law - Eileen Dicke of Columbus, NE

Sister-in-law - Verna Dicke of Columbus, NE

 

William was preceded in death by:

Parents - William and Marie Durkop

Wife - Mabel Durkop on February 19, 2008

Brother - Henry (Anna) Durkop

Brother - Elno Durkop

Sister - Melinda (Paul) Luchsinger

Brother-in-laws - John, Ernest, and David (Margaret) Dicke

Sister-in-law - Edna (Martin) Reinke

Sister-in-law - Dolores Dicke