Melvin M. Wetgen, 87 of Columbus, Nebraska, died Tuesday, November 4, 2008, at the Columbus Community Hospital.

The funeral service will be on Thursday, November 6 at 10:00 AM at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Columbus with Rev. Art Brinkmeyer officiating.  Interment will be in the Columbus Cemetery with military honors by the American Legion Hartman Post 84 Honor Guard.  Visitation will be on Wednesday from 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM at the Gass Haney Funeral Home and continue on Thursday from 9:00 AM until service time at the church.  There will be a family prayer service at 9:45 AM on Thursday at the church.  Memorials are the donor's choice.

Melvin M. Wetgen was born October 1, 1921, in Platte County, Nebraska, to Walter and Elsie (Krause) Wetgen.  He attended District 72 Country School and Kramer High School in Columbus.  On July 21, 1944, Melvin entered the United States Army during WWII.  He was wounded during the Battle of the Bulge and honorably discharged on August 14, 1946. Melvin was decorated with the World War II Victory Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, the European African Middle Eastern Service Medal, the Bronze Star, and the Purple Heart.  On December 25, 1946, Melvin was united in marriage to Vernetta Meyer. They farmed  in the Platte Center area for 25 years before moving to Columbus. Vernetta died on February 9, 1987.  Melvin then married Dolores (Smagecz) Nyffeler on November 3, 1988.    Dolores passed away on May 11, 2006.

Melvin had a long record of community service including: Platte County Weed District, Farmers Union Board, past president of the Platte Center Coop Board (1950 - 1964), past president of District 72 School Board (1952- 1966), past president of District 84 School Board, and was active in the formation of the new District 84 School, which was closed in 2000.  He was also on the Platte County School Reorganization Committee from 1967 - 1969.  Melvin was appointed to the Lakeview High School Board in 1968 when it was formed and served on that board for 25 years.  He was a member of the V.F.W., the American Legion, and the D.A.V..  Melvin was a member of the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Columbus.

Melvin is survived by:

Daughter-in-law - Marcy Wetgen of Platte Center, NE

Granddaughter - April (Ryan) Lieb of Lincoln, NE

Grandson - Kyle Wetgen of Omaha, NE

Granddaughter - Amanda Wetgen of Omaha, NE

Great-Granddaughter - Jocelyn Kelly Lieb of Lincoln, NE

Brother - Lavern Wetgen of Columbus, NE

 

Melvin was preceded in death by:

Parents - Walter & Elsie Wetgen

Wives - Vernetta Wetgen and Dolores Wetgen

Son - Wayne Wetgen

Granddaughter - Kelly Wetgen

Sister and brother-in-law - Evangeline & Clarence Reick

Sister-in-law - Merna Wetgen

 

SERVICE FOLDER INFORMATION

For Those I Love
For Those Who Love Me

When I am gone, release me, let me go…
I have so many things to see and do,

You must not tie yourself to me with tears.
Be happy that we had so many years.

I gave you my love. You can only guess
How much you gave to me in happiness.

I thank you for the love you each have showed.
But now it's time I traveled on alone.

So grieve a while for me, if grieve you must
Then let your grief be comforted by trust.
It's only for a while we must part,
So bless the memories that lie within your heart.

I won't be far away, for life goes on.
So if you need me call and I will come…
Tho you can't see me or touch me,
I'll be near.
And if you listen with your heart
you will hear,
All of my love around you soft and clear.

And then when you come this way alone…
I'll greet you with a smile and say
"Welcome Home".



Music
Helen Bergt - Organist
Luther Bakenhus - Soloist
"How Great Thou Art"  &  "The Lords' Prayer"
Congregational Hymn
"Abide With Me"

Casket Bearers
Bill Lehr                              Dave Korger
Sean Wetgen                    Larry Wetgen
Darrell Sedlacek          Edwin Schacher