Jess Henry Petsch

Jess Henry Petsch

Jan. 6, 1931 - April 23, 2012

HASTINGS, Nebraska -- Jess Henry Petsch was born on Jan. 6, 1931, to Jess and Mable Carmen (Hill) Petsch in Hitchcock County, Nebraska. He departed this world on April 23, 2012 at Mary Lanning Memorial HealthCare in Hastings, Nebraska at the age of 81 years, three months and 17 days.

Pete, as he was called, grew up on a farm near Stratton, Nebraska, attended Stratton public schools and graduated in 1949. He joined the Navy in August 1950, serving for four years. Pete was united in marriage to Wilma Barnhart on April 17, 1952, in Denver, Colorado. After being honorably discharged from the Navy, Pete and Wilma moved back to Stratton where Pete farmed until moving to Lincoln in 1956. Pete worked in Lincoln until they purchased some land near and moved to Superior, NE. In 1963, Pete and Wilma and the family moved to the farm just east of Guide Rock. Pete worked for Ely Grain Company for several years and owned a custom harvesting company, while keeping up the farming operation.

One of Pete's proudest moments was serving on the Guide Rock School Board and awarding diplomas to all four of his children. Pete also was a dedicated member of the Guide Rock American Legion and served several terms as a member of the Webster County Board of Commissioners.

In addition to all of his jobs, he always took the time to participate and attend all of his children's sporting events and even was the announcer at the football games.

Pete and Wilma have four children: Jerry, Joy, Jack and Jeff. Pete had many great passions in his life: his wife and children, helping his neighbors, playing cards, smoking his pipe, and especially spending time with his grand- and great-grandchildren.

Preceding him in death were his parents, two sisters, Grace Rook and Sylvia Cobb, and one brother Gary.

Left to cherish his memory are his loving wife, Wilma; a brother, Dave and Liz Petsch of Guide Rock; a sister, Ruth and Ellis Sutton of McCook; his children, Jerry and Rita Petsch of Omaha, Joy and Ken Simpson of Gretna, Nebraska, Jack and Ronda Petsch of Guide Rock, Jeff Petsch of Guide Rock; his grandchildren, Bradley Simpson and LeAnn Hawkins, Jennifer (Simpson) and Rob Long, Rachel Simpson and Josiah Warren, Stephanie (Petsch) and Kody Urwiler, Stacie (Petsch) and Jason Heldt, Jessica Petsch, Justin Petsch, Jarred Petsch, Carmen Petsch, and his great grandchildren, Jordyn Urwiler, Bradyn Urwiler, Bryson Urwiler, Josh Heldt, Haize Heldt, Payton Long, Malayna Long, Sawyer Long, Hannah Simpson, Hailey Simpson, Hayden Simpson, and many other family members and friends.

Funeral services will be held Friday, 10 a.m., April 27, 2012, at the United Methodist Church in Guide Rock with the Rev. Joel Rathbun officiating. Interment with military honors will be at the Guide Rock Cemetery.

Visitation will be held Wednesday and Thursday, 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. at the Williams Funeral Home in Red Cloud, and Friday, 8 a.m. to service time at the church.

Memorials are suggested to the Guide Rock American Legion Post of the Guide Rock Fire anda Rescue Squad.

Williams Funeral Home in Red Cloud is in charge of arrangements.