Jake Tepley

Jake Tepley

May 9, 1915 - Nov. 22, 2011

ELSIE, Nebraska --Jake Frank Tepley, 96, of Elsie, Nebraska, passed away Nov. 22, 2011, at Grant, Nebraska.

Jake was born May 9, 1915, to Jack Frank Tepley and Mary Carolyn Vasabal Tepley at their home north of Wauneta, Nebraska. He was baptized into the Catholic Faith in June of 1915. He attended country school north of his home on the "Stinkin Water Creek."

Jake enlisted in the Army July 9, 1941, and was stationed at Camp Roberts, Calfornia. There he was given the privilege of driving the comedian Red Skelton around the base. His Army company left California by ship and was told enroute that Pearl Harbor had been bombed. The Captain gave the order for "the ship to be painted black and they were going through Pearl Harbor." He was sent to Melbourne, Australia in Army Artillery and then sent to New Guinea to fight in the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign. He was honorably discharged Dec. 19, 1944. Jake was a member of the American Legion for 62 years.

Returning home from the Army he married Lillian Wicke Telpley on Oct. 10, 1945. Jake and Lillian celebrated their sixty-first wedding anniversary last fall.

Jake was an avid coyote hunter and raised greyhounds his entire life. In his younger years he hunted coyotes on horseback before vehicles were used. He used his dogs for both hunting and racing and had many trophies to show for his talents. He loved both playing and coaching softball for many years. He also enjoyed watching his grandchildren and great-grandchildren in their activities. Jake and Lillian also enjoyed polka dances with many of their friends, traveling to Kansas and Eastern Nebraska. He was a member of Redeemer Lutheran Church in Wauneta.

Jake and Lillian moved to Westview at Grant, Nebraska in January 2008, then moving to Golden Hours Nursing Home in Grant in January 2010.

Jake was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers: Wilbur Tepley and Leonard Tepley, and three sisters: Mae Graham, Eva Ambrosek, and Anna Cooper.

He leaves to mourn: his wife, Lillian; daughter, Mary Ann and husband, Bruce Fulk of Wallace, Nebraska; granddaughters: Stacy and husband, Ryan Kuhlman of Wallace, and Brenda Christensen of North Platte, Nebraska; three great-grandchildren: Tyler Christensen of North Platte,, and Dylan and Skyler Kuhlman of Wallace, many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Funeral Services for Jake Tepley will be held Saturday morning Nov. 26, 2011, at 10:30 a.m.. (MT) at the Redeemer Lutheran Church of Wauneta with Pastor Greg Stuckwisch officiating. Internment will follow at Riverside Cemetery in Wauneta with Military Rites provided by the Wauneta American Legion Post No. 304.

Visitation will be held Friday afternoon Nov. 25, 2011, from 2 -- 6 p.m. (MT) at the funeral home in Imperial.

All services will be closed casket per the wishes of Jake's Family.

A memorial has been established to Redeemer Lutheran Church of Wauneta.

Online condolences can be left at liewerfuneralhome.com

Liewer Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.