Stella G. Puls

Stella Georgia (Messerschmidt) Puls, 91, of Pender, NE answered the call to her heavenly home Saturday, June 29, 2019 at the Pender Community Hospital in Pender, NE. Funeral services will be Wednesday, July 3, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Bancroft; Pastor Nathan Henschen will be officiating. The visitation will be Tuesday, July 2, 2019 from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. at Munderloh-Smith Funeral Home in Pender. The burial will be in St. Mark’s Lutheran Church Cemetery in Pender, NE. Memorials may be directed to the family for future designation. Arrangements are under the direction of Munderloh-Smith Funeral Home in Pender.

Stella was born April 19, 1928 to Herbert and Anna (Paulsen) Meserschmidt in Pender. She was raised on a farm near Thurston. She earned her teaching certificate from college in Wayne and taught country school. She married Charles “Charlie” Puls on December 28, 1946.

Except for a few years in Noel, MO, the couple farmed near Pender their entire lives. They were blessed with six children; Charles, Jr., Helen, Carol, Susan, David, and Lisa. Through the years, the family also hosted exchange students from Ecuador, Japan, and Germany. They welcomed the arrival of grandchildren starting in 1971.

Stella was active in St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and 4-H for many years. She also taught GED classes and was a volunteer for Hospice of Siouxland. Her hands were never idle. She filled her time with quilting, gardening, and reading. Stella and Charlie enjoyed annual trips to Minnesota for fishing and traveled often to visit children and grandchildren throughout the United States.

She is survived by her children, Helen (Tom) Muffly of St. Maries, ID, Carol (Ben) Blum of  Luverne, MN, Susan (Robert) Urbanec of Pender, NE, David (Janet) Puls of Alexandria, VA, Lisa (Tom) Tangen of Vancouver, WA; 10 grandchildren and their families; nephew, Scott (Kelly) Gleason of Indiana.

Stella is preceded in death by her parents; son, Charles Jr.; husband, Charlie; sister, Iona Gleason, aunts, uncles, and extended relations.