Delmer F. Bockstadter

Kenesaw resident, Delmer F. Bockstadter, 89, passed away Saturday, January 11, 2014 at Mary Lanning Memorial Health Care, Hastings, NE.



Interment will be at 9:30 am Tuesday, January 14, 2014 at the Concordia Cemetery, near Christ Lutheran Church, Juniata with military rites. Memorial services will following at 11 am at the Zion Lutheran Church, Hastings with Rev. Paul Warneke officiating. Visitation will be Monday, January 13, 2014 from 12 pm to 8 pm with the family present from 6 pm to 8 pm at the Apfel Funeral Home, Kenesaw. Condolences may be sent to the family from www.apfelfuneralhome.com. Apfel Funeral Home, Kenesaw are in charge of the arrangements.



Memorials may be given to the ACLEA Fire, Zion Lutheran School, Hastings, Christ Lutheran School, Juniata or the Concordia Cemetery Fund.



Delmer was born October 28, 1924 to Frank and Lilia (Ruhter) Bockstadter on the family farm, in rural Kenesaw. He was baptized November 2, 1924 and confirmed May 15, 1938 at Christ Lutheran Church, Juniata. He graduated from Hastings High School in 1942. He worked for Vic and Vera Katzberg of their family farm before and after serving in the Blue Devil Division of the 349th Infantry Regiment from 1945 to 1947 with the rank Staff Sergeant. He married Joan Burr on October 1, 1950 at Christ Lutheran Church, Juniata. Delmer worked and lived on the family farm near Kenesaw until 1987 when he retired and then moved to Hastings. They recently moved to Kenesaw. He enjoyed woodworking, metalworking, photography, reading, collecting and building model trains, and loved music, especially Bach. He played harmonica, and also played drums in several bands.



He is survived by his wife, Joan of Kenesaw, children, Terry (Vonnie) Bockstadter of Lincoln, NE, Pam Bockstadter of Riverside, CA, and grandchildren and great grandchildren, Brent (Sara) Bockstadter, Levi and Shiloh; Brandon (Jacie) Bockstadter, Landon; Alison (Shea) Ellis, Chase and Sawyer; Amy (Darren) Bishop, Calen; Molly (Travis) Schmit, Chandler, Eden, Ava; Adam (Maria) Stitt, Tristan and Isabella; Aaron (Shelly) Stitt and Eric (Aprilyn) Stitt, and brother, Lavern Bockstadter of Lakewood, CA; many nieces, nephews and cousins.



He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Marvin and sister Lorraine.