Theodore 'Ted' W. Luhman

Feb. 9, 1922-May 7, 2011

ARAPAHOE, Nebraska -- Theodore "Ted" W. Luhman, 89, died Saturday (May 7, 2011) at Cambridge Memorial Hospital in Cambridge, Nebraska.

He was born Feb. 9, 1922, in Cambridge to William G. and Martha (Frank) Luhman.

He was raised near Holbrook, Nebraska and graduated from Holbrook High School with the class of 1940. After high school he went on to Midwest School for Welding in Omaha, Nebraska graduating in 1942.

Upon finishing school, he went to Vancouver, Washington to work in the shipyards as a welder. He then entered the U.S. Navy and served from 1942-45.

On June 6, 1948, he married Elfrieda Bloch at Immanuel Lutheran Church north of Arapahoe, Nebraska. They made their home in Arapahoe where he worked for Gus Martin at the Blacksmith Shop in Arapahoe for 10 years. He was a heavy equipment operator for Mosbarger and Ems Construction, before starting his construction company, Ted Luhman Construction. He built many dams and terraces and did various dirt work jobs for local farmers. He also worked for the Furnas County Roads Department for 20 years before retiring in 1987.

He was honored as grand marshal at the tractor parade during Old Trusty Days in Clay Center, Nebraska in September of 2000. He was a member of several steam engine associations and the Trinity Lutheran Church of Arapahoe.

He was preceded in death by his parents and son-in-law, Lynn E. Huxoll.

He is survived by his wife, Elfrieda Luhman of Arapahoe; daughters, Jennette Huxoll of Arapahoe and Mary and husband, Kelvin Wolzen of Sutton, Nebraska; sister, Dorothy Schmid of Aurora, Colorado; five grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren.

Funeral services are Thursday, 10:30 a.m., at Trinity Lutheran Church in Arapahoe with the Rev. James Moshier officiating. Burial is at Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery in Arapahoe with military rites given by the American Legion Post No. 343 of Edison, Nebraska.

Viewing and visitation is Wednesday, from 9 a.m. until 8 p.m. at Wenburg Funeral Home in Arapahoe and prior to the service at the church.

Condolences or personal reflections may be left at wenburgfuneralhome.com.

Wenburg Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.