Vernon A. Himmelberg

Vernon A Himmelberg, 96, Lawrence Nebraska passed away on Saturday, January 11, 2025, at The Pines in Blue Hill Nebraska.  Rosary will be Wednesday, January 15, 2025, 7:30 p.m. and Mass will be Thursday, January 16, 2025, 10:30 a.m. both at St. Stephen Catholic Church, Lawrence, Nebraska with Father Denton Morris Officiating.  Burial with military rites by Kent Kailey post #45 and the Army National Guard Honor’s Team will be in Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery, Lawrence, Nebraska.  Visitation is Wednesday, January 15, 2025, from 3:00-8:30 pm at the Lawrence Visitation Chapel, Lawrence, Nebraska.  A Memorial has been established to be designated at a later date.  The service will be live-Streamed on Merten-Butler Mortuary’s Website.  To view the service, go to Vernon’s obituary and click on the play button towards the bottom of the page.  Condolences may be sent to the family at www.mertenbutlermortuary.com.  Merten-Butler Mortuary, Blue Hill, Nebraska is in charge of arrangements.

Vernon was born on the family farm north of Lawrence on February 11, 1928, to parents John P & Josephine J (Kitten) Himmelberg.  He initially attended grade school at the nearby country school until the family moved to a farm on the north edge of Lawrence, where he continued at Sacred Heart School.  Attended high school at Lawrence High School until his 16th birthday.  He went into the army in November of 1954, doing his basic training in Texas.  Was then stationed at Merced California until his discharge in November of 1956.

Vernon was married to LaVonne (Bonnie) Buescher on June 21, 1956.  They were blessed with seven children: Larry, Linda, Lois, Donna, Diane, Duane and Gene.  After his discharge they lived in Hastings Nebraska, where he worked for Hastings Grain Bin.  In 1959 they moved to a farm northeast of Lawrence, where they lived for 7 years before purchasing the family farm southwest of Deweese, Nebraska.  They retired to Lawrence in 1992.  Later in life Vernon enjoyed making bluebird houses and maintaining numerous ones throughout the local countryside.  He also enjoyed collecting miniature vintage John Deere farming equipment.  Vernon was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus and Kent Kailey Post #45. 

Vernon was preceded in death by Diane (daughter), Gene (son), parents, mother & father-in-law George & Margaret Buescher, siblings & spouses Coletta & Max Robinson, Doris & Don Rech, Don Himmelberg, Orville & Barbara Himmelberg, sister-in-law Ellen Buescher and brother-in-law Don Jurgensmeier.

Vernon is survived by his wife of 68 years, LaVonne (Bonnie); two sons and spouses, Larry (Marguerite) Himmelberg, Duane (Sherry) Himmelberg; three daughters and spouses, Linda (Wayne) Kohmetscher, Lois Kohmetscher, Donna (Joe) Svoboda; daughter-in-law, Linda Himmelberg; seventeen grandchildren, Nathan Himmelberg, Michelle (Phil) Janda, Russell (Amanda) Kohmetscher, Roger (Neeley) Kohmetscher, Bruce (Kelly) Kohmetscher, Jodi (Jason) Reimers, Drew (Mallory) Kohmetscher, Melissa (Brandon) Scheidemann, Stacy (Chris) Ladwig, Chance (Steph) Svoboda, Garret (Kayla) Svoboda, Jacob (Darby) Himmelberg, Josh Himmelberg, Jaden Himmelberg, Dillon (Amanda) Menke, Haley (Jake) Rech and Morgan (Alex) Paus; thirty great grandchildren with two more on the way;  sister-in-law Bonnie Himmelberg; brothers and sisters and spouses, Rita (Ken) Brott, Bob (Betty) Himmelberg, Vivian (Darrel) Soucie, Howard (Glenda) Himmelberg, John (Donna) Himmelberg, Marie (Rich) Crucitt; sisters-in-law Charlyn Jurgensmeier and Colleen Buescher.

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