Donald Edward Schmidt
When Donald Edward Schmidt was born on 14 October 1931, in Falls City, Richardson, Nebraska, United States, his father, Edward Paul Schmidt, was 30 and his mother, Mary Bertha Roesch, was 27. He lived in Falls City Election Precinct, Richardson, Nebraska, United States in 1940. He died on 8 March 2014, in Saint Cloud Township, Stearns, Minnesota, United States, at the age of 82, and was buried in Minnesota, United States.
Harold L. Roesch
Harold L. Roesch, 85, of Hiawatha, KS (formerly of Reserve, KS), passed away peacefully in his sleep on February 16, 2019 at the Apostolic Christian Home, Sabetha, KS. He was born October 23, 1933 at Falls City, NE to Henry and Mary (Idol) Roesch.
He married Mary Ellen Gerdes on September 6, 1959 at Falls City.
Harold spent his childhood on a farm in the Reserve area farming with his dad, Henry and his mother Mary. During his high school years he was very active in sports and music, graduation from Reserve High School in 1951. He graduated from Highland Junior College in 1953. While at Highland he sang in the college chorus and music quartet.
Harold continued to farm with his dad. Through the years they had a cattle and sheep operation. He belonged to the Brown County Farm Bureau and served as a board member. He also served on the Reserve High School Board. He was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church (20th & Towle St.) at Falls City where he taught Sunday School for 25 years.
He was a recipient of the Bankers Soil Conservation Award twice through the years. He was a member of the Hiawatha National Guard for 10 years.
Harold is survived by his wife, Mary Ellen of Hiawatha, sons, David and his wife Tracy of Topeka, KS, Robbie and his wife Heather of Atchison, KS, grandchildren, Ethan Roesch and wife Shannon of Topeka, Kaitlin Latimer and her husband John of Manhattan, KS, Reagan and Laura Roesch and Sierra Charlson of Atchison, KS, great-grandchildren, Aydin McDonald and Brylie Roesch both of Topeka. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother-in-law, Wallace L. Gerdes, Jr. and his wife Elaine.
His funeral will be held on Saturday, February 23, 2019 at 10:00 AM at St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church (20th & Towle St.) with Reverend Andrew Chavanak officiating. Interment will be in Steele Cemetery.
The family will receive friends Friday from 7-8:00 PM at Dorr and Clark Funeral Home.
Ruthanna (Roesch) Wheeler
Ruthanna Wheeler, 89, of Falls City, NE, passed away July 2, 2019 at Falls City. She was born December 23, 1929 at Reserve, KS to Fred and Wilma Mae (Schmidt) Roesch.
She married Roy Wheeler on July 23, 1972 at Falls City. He passed away September 6, 2004.
Ruthanna was raised on a farm at Reserve and graduated Falls City High School in 1947. When married, the couple established their home in Falls City, moving to Gering, NE in 1989 and back to Falls City in July of 2001. She had been the church secretary at St. Paul’s for 25 years. She was a member of St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church (20th and Towle St.).
Ruthanna is survived by her step-daughter, Angela Jones of Mitchell, NE and step-grandsons, Douglas and Gregory Jones. She was preceded in death by her parents and husband.
Her funeral will be held on Tuesday, July 9, 2019 at 10:30 AM at St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church (20th and Towle St.) with Reverend Andrew Chavanak officiating. Interment will be in Steele Cemetery.
Roger Norman Thornton
(stepson of Edgar Roesch)
Falls City native, Roger Norman Thornton passed away at his home in Santa Monica on 27 October, 2021.
Roger was born December 3, 1941 to Vera (Thornton) Roesch and Norman F. Thornton. Roger graduated from Falls City High School with the class of 1960, and also from the University of Nebraska. Roger served in the US Navy for five years, including one year as a “Swift Boat” Captain during the Vietnam War. Following his honorable discharge as a Lieutenant Commander in 1969, he attended the University of Southern California and earned a Master’s Degree in Political Science.
In 1979 Roger became a founding member of what would become Santa Monicans for Renter’s Rights (SMRR) and helped turn that grassroots group into a local political powerhouse. He learned the computer skills needed to develop sophisticated mail campaigns, maintained membership lists, set up the SMRR Newsletter, and as Treasurer, managed SMRR finances and campaign reporting for more than 30 years.
Roger never gave up on his love for Falls City and often returned to visit family, meet with old friends and attend class reunions. He remained close friends with his fellow classmates David and Thelma (Merz) Lunsford, Ed Steinman, and the late Dave Reavis.
Roger is survived by his wife Chris, his daughters Jennifer Smith and Stephanie Thornton, and his grandchildren Logan and Emilia Smith, and sisters Carol Thornton Coffey of Hastings Nebraska and Cathy Roesch Ebmeier of Bertrand, Nebraska.
Dudley Augustus Syre'
Husband of Mary (Picton) Syre'
Dudley Augustus Syre', age 82, passed away at his home on February 22, 2022. He was born August 24, 1939 to Richard and Margaret (Jones) Syre' in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania. He graduated from Midland University in 1961. On August 24, 1962 Dudley married Mary Picton.
He then entered the Navy retiring as a commander from the reserves in 1982. After serving his country, he went into Medical school, finishing his residency at UNMC and internship at Balboa Naval Hospital in San Diego, California. In 1972 he opened his own Ear, Nose and Throat practice in Council Bluffs, Iowa until he retired in 2009.
Dudley is survived by his wife of 59 years, Mary Syre'; brothers, Richard Syre' and Mark (Joanne) Syre'; nieces, nephews, family and friends.
Memorial Service will be held Tuesday, March 1, 2022 at 10:30 a.m. at Kountze Memorial Lutheran Church, 2650 Farnam St., Omaha, NE 68131. Memorials may be directed to Kountze Memorial Lutheran Church or Midland University.
Last Modified June 2022
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