Milton Wennekamp, 88, of Columbus, Nebraska, died Tuesday, September 20, 2022, at Brookestone Acres in Columbus.

The funeral service will be held on Monday, September 26 at 10:30 AM, at St. John's Lutheran Church, Shell Creek, Northeast of Columbus, with Rev. Brad Birtell officiating. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery. Visitation will be on Sunday from 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM at Gass Haney Funeral Home and continue on Monday from 9:30 AM until service time at the church. There will be a family prayer service on Monday at 10:15 AM at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested as those of the family or donor's choice.

Milton (Milt) Lavern Wennekamp was born November 9, 1933, in rural Platte County to Reinhold and Frances (Wendt) Wennekamp. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Leigh, Nebraska. Milt attended Platte County District 58 School and graduated from Creston High School in May 1951. On December 13, 1951, Milt enlisted in the Army National Guard of the United States and the Army National Guard of Nebraska. Milt was honorably discharged on February 6, 1966, after serving for 14 years. Milton married Esther E. Schreiber on September 19, 1954, at St. John's Lutheran Church, ELCA – Shell Creek and together they had 5 children.

After their marriage, they lived in Columbus for a few years and then bought a farm in Colfax County where Milt raised livestock and various crops. Along with farming, Milt was employed at Behlen Mfg. in Columbus for 42 years before retiring in 1999. In his later retirement years, he was a self-proclaimed "domestic engineer" who embraced making pumpkin pies, peppernut cookies and popcorn. Anyone that knew Milt, knew he was a jack of all trades; there was nothing that he wouldn't try to build or repair. He was a master at metal fabrication and was willing to help anyone repair anything.

Milt was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church – Shell Creek for over 65 years and was very active in church, serving as a Sunday School teacher and on numerous committees. Milt also spent many years on the school board for Richland Grade School. Currently, he belonged to the Behlen Retiree "40 Year Club" and the American Legion.

Milton was a loving husband, father and grandfather who enjoyed going to his children and grandchildren's activities. He also enjoyed dancing, Nebraska sports, playing sheep-head and pinochle and watching Westerns on TV. Milt and Esther enjoyed traveling together and made it to 46 states and Canada.

Milton is survived by:
Sister – Millie Wennekamp of Columbus, NE
Daughter – Cheryl Brewer of Columbus, NE
Daughter – Susan (Kevin) Hellbusch of Creston, NE
Son – Larry (Patti) Wennekamp of Schuyler, NE
Daughter – Sandra (Jim) Swanson of Columbus, NE
Son – Jim (Trish) Wennekamp of Battle Creek, NE
Grandchildren:
Hilary (Craig) Muhle of Elkhorn, NE
Madeline (Nick Wright) Brewer of Columbus, NE
Brittany Brewer of Columbus
Benjamin (Amanda) Hellbusch of Columbus, NE
Tyler (Jessica) Hellbusch of Columbus, NE
Melissa (Eric) Freudenburg of Ainsworth, NE
Aaron (Tayler) Hellbusch of Columbus, NE
Justin (Keely) Wennekamp of Grand Island, NE
Clayton (Rachael) Wennekamp of Council Bluffs, IA
Katey (Levi) Stork of Omaha, NE
Miranda Swanson of Columbus, NE
Wyatt Swanson of Columbus, NE
Taylor (Ciara) Wennekamp of Norfolk, NE
Step Grandchildren:
Travis (Maria) Brewer of Duncan, NE
Heidi Brewer of Omaha, NE
Danielle Brewer of Ames, NE
Trenton (Laura Johnson) Swanson of Omaha, NE
Katie (Jose) Menchaca of Omaha, NE
Landon (Alisha) Ziemba of Shawnee, KS
Lukas Ziemba of Lincoln, NE
Jaden Ziemba of Norfolk, NE
27 Great Grandchildren and 1 due in October; 16 Step Great Grandchildren and Numerous Nieces and Nephews

Milton was preceded in death by:
Parents – Reinhold and Frances Wennekamp
Wife – Esther Schreiber
Infant Brother – Lester Wennekamp
Son-In-Law – John Brewer

Service Folder Information
The Broken Chain

We little knew the day
God was going to call your name.
In life we loved you dearly.
In death we do the same.

It broke our hearts to lose you
but you didn't go alone.
For part of us went with you
the day God called you home.

We're left with beautiful memories.
Your love is still our guide,
And though we cannot see you
You are always at our side.

Our family chain is broken
and nothing seems the same,
but as God calls us one by one
the chain will link again.

Ron Tranmer






In Loving Memory Of

Milton "Milt" Lavern Wennekamp

Born
Thursday, November 9, 1933
Platte County, Nebraska

Entered Into Rest
Tuesday, September 20, 2022
Columbus, Nebraska

Service
Monday, September 26, 2022 10:30 AM
St. John's Lutheran Church Shell Creek
Rural Columbus, Nebraska

Officiant
Rev. Brad Birtell

Music
Sharon Hartman – Organist
Karlynn Mueller – Soloist
"I Can Only Imagine" & "The Lord's Prayer"
Congregational Hymns
"On Eagle's Wings"
"How Great Thou Art"
"Here I Am Lord"

Casket Bearers
Benjamin Hellbusch
Tyler Hellbusch
Aaron Hellbusch
Justin Wennekamp
Clayton Wennekamp
Taylor Wennekamp
Wyatt Swanson

Interment
Calvary Cemetery
Rural Columbus, Nebraska