Wilbur Weddingfeld

Wilbur Weddingfeld, 96, of Phoenix, AZ, formerly of Pender, NE, passed away Monday, April 25, 2016 in Phoenix. Funeral services will be Wednesday, May 4, 2016 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Pender, NE; Pastor Miles Ruch is officiating. Visitation will be Tuesday, May 3, 2016 from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Munderloh-Smith Funeral Home in Pender. Burial with military honors will be in Rosehill Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to St. Mark’s Lutheran Church. Arrangements are under the direction of Munderloh-Smith Funeral Home in Pender. Wilbur was born September 27, 1919 on the family farm four miles west of Pender, NE to William and Frances (Brandt) Weddingfeld. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church and later transferred to St. Mark’s Lutheran Church. He graduated from Pender High School in 1936 and the Van Sant School of Business in Omaha, NE. Wilbur served in the U.S. Air Force from 1941 until 1945 in World War II and traveled many places including the Middle East, Europe, China, Burma, and India. He married Margaret Jean Suhr on April 15, 1945 at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church. He came home and was employed for short periods at the Omar Flour Co. of Omaha, Social Security Board in Baltimore, MD, and the U.S. Department in Washington D.C. From 1946 to 1976, he and his brother-in-law, Harry Johnson, Jr., operated an oil business in Pender, known now as Breitbarth One Stop. After sale of the business, he was employed at Wayne Federal Savings and Loan in Wayne, NE and Pender Veterinary Clinic in Pender. Wilbur was active in civic affairs, service on Pender Village Board, Pender School Board, and St. Mark’s Lutheran Church Council and Pender Mayor. He married Karen Frederich Bronk on March 31, 2001 at Mountain View Lutheran Church in Phoenix, AZ. In his free time he enjoyed golfing, dancing, traveling and reading. He was an avid Husker football fan. He is survived by his wife, Karen, of Phoenix, AZ; son, Thomas (Gloria) of Tucson, AZ; daughter, Cande (Jack) Hansen of Omaha, NE; and brother, William (Sue) Weddingfeld of Panora, IA; sister, Violet Robinson of Omaha, NE; six grandchildren, and six great grandchildren. Wilbur is preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Margaret; sisters, Genene Busch, Myra Watson, Betty Bressler, Madeline Barker; and brother, Merlyn (Mary Sue) Weddingfeld.