Karen Dee Wichman

Click here to view the memorial video.Karen Dee Wichman, 73, of Pender, Nebraska, passed away on Sunday, April 26, 2009. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, April 30, at 10:30 A.M. at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Pender, Nebraska with the Rev. Steven Tjarks officiating. A visitation will be held on Wednesday from 3:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Munderloh Funeral Home in Pender, with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. Interment will be in the St. Peter’s Lutheran Church Cemetery in Pender, NE. Karen was born on November 16, 1935, at her grandparent’s home in Obert, Nebraska, the daughter of Wilbur and Lucile (Stolpe) Anderson. Karen was baptized and confirmed at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Obert, Nebraska. Karen graduated from Obert High School in May of 1955. She attended Edwards Business School in Sioux City, Iowa, and worked as a secretary for United Wholesalers in Sioux City for 3 years. Karen married Norman Wichman on December 30, 1956 at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Obert, Nebraska. Karen and Norman farmed together for 37 years before moving into Pender in 1993. Karen held many offices in the Women of the ELCA at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, including church treasurer. Karen had been a member and officer of Pender Community Hospital Auxiliary for many years. Karen loves her faith and her family. She also loved to read, travel, visit with friends and attend all the events of her kids and grandkids. Karen is survived by her children, Bryon of Lincoln, Nebraska, Barb and her husband Terry Bessmer of Norfolk, Nebraska, and Bruce and his wife Nancy of Pender, Nebraska. She is also survived by five grandchildren: Amber and Ross Bacon, Tiffany Bessmer and fiancé Jason Settles, Shelby Soll, Taylor Bessmer, Tanner Bessmer and one great grandchild, Avery Bacon. She is also survived by a sister, Jana Wichman and her husband Leon of Pender, Nebraska; a brother, Brock Anderson, of Pilger, Nebraska; a sister-in-law, Lois Fillipi of Pender, Nebraska; sister-in-law Judy Anderson also of Pender, NE; sister-in-law, Janice and husband Lyle Nolting of Rosalie, Nebraska: sister-in-law Linda and husband Harry Hager of Barboursville, West Virginia; aunt Arlynn O’Connor of Sioux City, Iowa; uncle Paul and wife Janet Stolpe of Wausa, Nebraska; many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Karen was preceded in death by her husband Norman, her parents, Wilbur and Lucile Anderson, and her brother, Billy Anderson.