Benjamin Neuenschwander

Feb. 14, 1935 - Nov. 22, 2012

CULBERTSON, Nebraska -- Benjamin Neuenschwander, age 77, of Culbertson, passed away Thursday, Nov. 22, 2012, at Bryan LGH Medical Center in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Ben was born on Feb. 14, 1935, in Sugar Creek Township, Ohio, to Amos A. and Lavina Celesta (Amstutz) Neuenschwander. He graduated from Geneva High School in 1952, before continuing his education at Fort Wayne Bible College in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He then worked at Salem Children's Home until moving to Nebraska in 1960.

Ben married Joyce Rousselle on Aug 1, 1955, at Eden Missionary Church, in rural Wauneta, Nebraska. Together they raised their three daughters. Ben was a carpenter in the area for many years owning his own business Ben's Carpentry. He also taught carpentry classes in the community. He delivered the McCook Gazette to residents for 11 years. Ben also served as a member of the Culbertson School Board for 12 years.

He was a member of the Evangelical Free Church in McCook. Many Sundays Ben would greet church goers with a smile and a warm hand shake as they arrived on Sunday mornings. In his spare time, Ben enjoyed woodworking, watching sports, playing games and telling jokes with family and friends. He also enjoyed meeting often with his friends for coffee time.

Ben was preceded in death by his parents; wife Joyce; father and mother-in-law, Edward and Esther Rousselle, three brothers, Ellis, Wilbert and Joe; and son-in-law, Alan Harms.

Survivors include three daughters, Sandy Harms of Hayes Center, Nebraska, Celesta and husband, John Rhodes of Riley Township, Missouri and Sonja Greene of Sacramento, California; two brothers, Lloyd and wife, Carol Neuenschwander of Berne, Indiana, Denver and wife, Bert Neuenschwander of Geneva, Indiana; two sisters, Estelle Nussbaum of Berne, Indiana and Lorene and husband, Dwight Brenneman of Lancaster, Pennsylvania; sisters-in law, Iola and husband, Don Egle, of Bella Vista, Arkansas, Ruby Neuenschwander and Marieda Neuenschwander, both of Berne; six grandchildren, Jody Greene-Warren and husband, Aaron, Jarrad Greene, Benjamin Rhodes, Zachary Rhodes, Aimee Hazlitt and husband, Mitch, and Drew Harms; son-in-law Jeff Greene; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, his E-Free Church Family and many dear friends.

A visitation will be today, Nov. 26, 2012, from 1-8 p.m. at Carpenter Breland Funeral Home in McCook, Nebraska. The family will be present to greet friends from 6-8 p.m.

A memorial service will be Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2012, 10:30 a.m. at the Evangelical Free Church in McCook with Rev. Bruce Lester officiating. A private family inurnment will be held at the Culbertson Cemetery at a later date.

Memorials may be given in his name.

Carpenter Breland Funeral Home of McCook is in charge of the arrangements.

Friends may send condolences to the family at www.carpenterbreland.com.