LaVerne E. Abts

LaVerne E. Abts

Jul 14, 1918 – Aug 15, 2017

LaVerne “Verne” Abts was born in Randolph, Nebraska on July 14, 1918. He attended St. Frances Grade School and High School in Randolph. Verne enrolled at Creighton University in 1939 to study Commerce. His studies were interrupted when he joined the Army at the start of World War II. He served until its end in 1945.

Verne returned to Creighton to finish his undergraduate work and then enrolled in Creighton’s School of Law in 1945. He graduated in 1948. He married Evelyn Werner in 1950 and together they had five children.  Verne practiced law as legal counsel for Central National Insurance Company of Omaha from 1960 until his retirement in 1985. After 38 years of marriage, Evelyn died in 1988. Later, Verne married Katherine Wintz of Hartington, NE. They lived in Hartington until her death 20 years later in 2009.

Along with his role as husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, Verne was devoted to his Catholic faith. He served the Catholic Church as a member of the West Omaha Serra Club for Religious Vocations and the Perpetual Adoration Society. He also served as a lector for the Mass for Shut Ins on television. Verne loved to golf and watch Notre Dame Football. He lived a good and blessed life.

Verne was preceded in death by his parents, Anton and Christina; his brothers: John, Albert, Arthur, Eugene, and Thomas; sister, Dorothy; wives, Evelyn Abts and Katherine Abts.

Verne is survived by five children and their spouses: Margaret and Tim Streff of Shawnee, Kansas, Ed and Sue Abts of Bellingham, Washington, Tim Abts and Michon Marcil Abts of Omaha, Joe and Kim Abts of Omaha, and Chris and Ken Von Buettner of Casper, Wyoming; 15 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; nine stepchildren: Sherie and Angelo Perry of Omaha, Mary Kay and John McCarthy Sr. of Omaha; Jim and Carla Wintz of Hartington, Nebraska, Marcia and Ed Bruening of Lincoln, Nebraska, Sue and Bob Drozda of Boise, Idaho, Tom and Virginia Wintz of Norwalk, California, Anne and Larry Arens of Norfolk, Nebraska, Jerry and Kristi Wintz of Hartington, Theresa and Bill Leise of Normal, Illinois; 30 step-grandchildren and 32 step-great-grandchildren.

The family would like to thank Todd Sauer, MD, the VNA and the staff at Life Care Center of Elkhorn Nursing Home for the wonderful care Verne received.

VISITATION BEGINS Friday, August 18th at 5pm, followed by VIGIL SERVICE at 7pm at the Bel Air Chapel, 12100 W. Center Rd.  MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL Saturday, August 19th at 10:30am at St Pius X Catholic Church, 6905 Blondo. Interment, Calvary Cemetery with military honors by American Legion Post #1.  In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to St. Pius X Catholic Church and Creighton University School of Law.

 

 

 

3 Comments

  • Bob Drozda Posted August 16, 2017 10:42 am

    The Drozda and Abts families have a long history of friendship. I was also blessed to have Vern as a father-in-law thru my wife, Sue Wintz Drozda. Vern was very good to Sue, my children, and me. He will be missed, and remembered.

  • Sue Drozda Posted August 18, 2017 10:51 am

    I remember the day Verne entered our lives by marrying my mother, Kathy. They had a wonderful life together and shared such a closeness spiritually. He was so appreciative of my yearly visits to see him after Mom died. My last visit to see him was on Sun 8/13. I’m so thankful I was able to say goodbye to him and wished him a peaceful journey as he left this world in the days to come. He will be missed and fondly remembered. To the Abts family–you are in my thoughts and prayers and so sorry I am unable to join you all at this time.

  • Ryan Bob Posted September 15, 2020 9:35 pm

    Vern sounds like a great guy, I wish I could have met him! God Bless You Vern!

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