Derwood H. Wriedt

Derwood H. Wriedt, 88, of Wakefield, Nebraska died on Wednesday, August 24, 2011 at Mercy Medical Center in Sioux City, Iowa. Funeral services for Derwood will be held on Monday, August 29, 2011 at 10:30 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Emerson; Fr. Gerald Leise will be officiating. The visitation will be held on Sunday from 3:00 until 8:00 p.m. at the church in Emerson. There will be a prayer service on Sunday at 7:00 p.m. Burial will be in the Calvary Cemetery in Emerson. Military rites will be presented by the Wakefield V.F.W. and American Legion. Derwood was born on February 8, 1923 at Pender, Nebraska to Henry and Hyrel (Moats) Wriedt. He lived in Pender until he was 14 years old. He moved with his parents and older sister, Maxine, to the Wriedt Farmstead. He farmed with his father until he was called to fight for his country during WW II. Most of his time was spent in the Philippines. After returning home, he continued to farm with his dad. On June 11, 1947, he married Ellen Weber at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Emerson. To this union three children were born: John, Judith and James. Derwood continued to farm after his marriage and also worked outside of farming. He worked for the light plant in Wakefield, Broyhills in South Sioux City, and spent many years working for Automatic Equipment in Pender, until he retired. He loved to fix things and all the grandchildren knew grandpa would lend a helping hand. He belonged to the V.F.W. and the American Legion in Wakefield. Derwood is survived by his wife of 64 years Ellen, three children: John and wife Jeannine of Wakefield, Nebraska; Judy Torbert of Hopkins, Michigan; James and wife Michelle of Madison, Nebraska. He is also survived by 14 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, his sister Maxine Eichler of Ames, Iowa; a host of friends and his good companion, Abby, his dog. He was preceded in death by his parents.