Velva Lou Smejkal, 84, of Columbus, Nebraska, died Thursday, November 24, 2022, at the Columbus Community Hospital in Columbus, Nebraska.

The funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, November 29, 2022, at Peace Lutheran Church in Columbus, Nebraska, with Rev. Cory Burma officiating. Interment will be in Clarkson National Cemetery after church service and luncheon. Visitation will be from 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. on Monday, November 28, 2022 at Gass Haney Funeral Home and continue from 9:30 a.m. until service time on Tuesday, November 29, 2022, at the church.

Velva Lou Smejkal was born on March 16, 1938, in Stanton County, Nebraska to Emory and Evelyn (Doescher) Tiedtke. Velva attended District 32 elementary school and graduated from Clarkson High School in 1956. She was confirmed at St John's Lutheran church of Howells, Nebraska. She taught school for three years in Stanton County.

Velva was united in marriage to Darrell Smejkal on June 11, 1959, in St. John's Lutheran Church, a small country church, north of Howells, Nebraska. They lived in Waco, Texas their first year of marriage while Darrell served in the United States Air Force and then moved to Columbus, Nebraska where Velva and Darrell were both employed at Dale Electronics (VISHAY). They moved to Norfolk, Nebraska where they lived for 7 years and then moved back to Columbus, where she was a bookkeeper at Foster Lumber for 31 years.

Velva and Darrell were blessed with three children, Kelly, Joel and Scott. Velva loved her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and enjoyed attending their many activities. Attending family events was most important to Velva. She prepared many meals and baked delicious desserts for her family. She enjoyed playing numerous card games at family gatherings. She watched many sporting events of her grandchildren, and also enjoyed the Nebraska Cornhuskers, New York Yankees and Kansas City Chiefs. Her faith was very important to her as shown by her involvement in Peace Lutheran Church.

Survivors include; three children, Kelly Carter of Smithville, Missouri; Joel (Andrea) Smejkal of Columbus and Scott (Brenda) Smejkal, of Columbus. Grandchildren include Jake Carter, Morgan (Michael) Stanley, Parker Smejkal, Summer (Tristan) Colgrove, Derek Smejkal, Nathan (Cheyenne) Murray and Taylor Murray and two great-grandchildren, Madison Stanley and Everett Murray. Sisters Charlotte (Ron) Lambert of Columbus, Nebraska, Janelle (Loren) Stone of St. Edward, Nebraska, and brother Deon (Karen) Tiedtke of Clarkson, Nebraska.

Velva is preceded in death by her parents, Emory and Evelyn Tiedtke, by her husband, Darrell Smejkal and by her sister-in-law Linda Tiedtke.

Memorials to the Smejkal family for future designations.

Service Folder Information
The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall
not want. He makes me to lie
down in green pastures; He leads
me beside the still waters. He
restores my soul; He leads me
in the paths of righteousness for
His name's sake.
Even though I walk through the
valley of the shadow of death, I will
fear no evil; for You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff they comfort
me; You prepare a table before
me in the presence of mine enemies;
You anoint my head with oil,
my cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall
follow me all the days of my life;
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
forever.


In Loving Memory Of

Velva Lou Smejkal

Born
Wednesday, March 16, 1938
Pilger, Nebraska

Entered Into Rest
Thursday, November 24, 2022
Columbus, Nebraska

Service
Tuesday, November 29, 2022 10:30 AM
Peace Lutheran Church
Columbus, Nebraska

Officiant
Rev. Cory Burma

Music
Carolee Wurdeman – Organist
Andy Luce – Soloist
"I Can Only Imagine"
"Just As I Am"
Congregational Hymn
"Take My Life and Let It Be"

Casket Bearers
Parker Smejkal
Derek Smejkal
Jake Carter
Tristan Colgrove
Michael Stanley
Nathan Murray
Mark Lambert
Jason Tiedtke
Kevin Stone

Interment
Clarkson National Cemetery
Clarkson, Nebraska