Carl Aerni, 88, of Columbus, Nebraska, died Thursday, March 6, 2008, at his home in Columbus.

The funeral service will be Tuesday, March 11, 10:30 A.M. at the Immanuel Lutheran Church with Rev. Kurt Ebert officiating. Interment will be in the Roselawn Memorial Cemetery with military honors by The American Legion Honor Guard, Hartman Post 84. Visitation will be on Monday from 5:00 - 8:00 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.

Carl was born September 20, 1919 in rural Platte County to Albert and Louise (Mueller) Aerni.  He graduated from Kramer High School.  He served in the United States Navy from February 26, 1942 until his honorable discharge on May 9, 1945.  Carl was a "SeaBee" in the Navy Construction Battalion stationed at Guadalcanal.  During this time, Carl learned to work with heavy equipment operation and maintenance.  After his discharge, Carl returned to Columbus where on February 14, 1946, he was united in marriage to Lois Kuklish at the Immanuel Lutheran Church.  Carl owned and operated Aerni Construction.  His company did earth moving, leveling, and dam building.  Carl opened the first landfill in the Columbus area. Carl served on the Loup Board of Directors for more than 24 years.   He also served on the Platte County Board of Supervisors and the Columbus City Council.  Carl was a life long baptized and confirmed member of Immanuel Lutheran Church.

Carl is survived by:

Wife - Lois Aerni of Columbus, NE

Daughter - Linda (Guy) Wheatley of Columbus, NE

Daughter - Sue (Larry) Mares of Columbus, NE

Son - Allen (Sandra) of Tempe, AZ

Grandchildren - Mikaela (Tom) Richmond of Kearney, NE

                               Carly (Anthony) Hoke of Long Beach, CA

                               Alex and Jenna Mares of Columbus, NE

                               Elizabeth Wheatley of Columbus, NE

Great Grandchildren - Olivia and Luke Richmond of Kearney, NE

Brother - Orville (Dorothy) Gertsch of Denton, NE

Sister-in-law - Florence Aerni of Columbus, NE

Nieces and Nephews

 

Carl was preceded in death by:

Parents - Albert and Louise Aerni

Brother - Fred Aerni

Brother - Albert Aerni

Sister-in-law - Lucille Aerni

 

SERVICE FOLDER

God gives us each a gift of life
To cherish from our birth.
He gives us friends and those we love
To share our days on Earth.

He watches us with loving care
And takes us by the hand,
He blesses us with countless joys
And guides the lives we've planned.

Then, when our work on Earth is done,
He calls us to His side,
To live with Him in happiness
Where peace and love abide.


In Memory Of

Carl Aerni

Born
Saturday, September 20, 1919
Rural Platte County, Nebraska

Entered Into Rest
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Columbus, Nebraska

Service
Tuesday, March 11, 2008     10:30 AM
Immanuel Lutheran Church
Columbus, Nebraska

Officiating
Rev. Kurt Ebert

Music
Helen Bergt - Organist
Jeanne Bartels - Soloist
"The Lord's Prayer"

 "How Great Thou Art"

"In The Garden" 
Congregational Hymn
 " What A Friend We Have In Jesus"

Interment
Roselawn Memorial Cemetery
Columbus, Nebraska

Military Honors
The American Legion Honor Guard, Hartman Post 84