Wendell Arlen Willers

Wendell Arlen Willers

April 17, 1927 – March 21, 2025

Wendell Arlen Willers, age 97, of Omaha, Nebraska, passed away on March 21, 2025.  He is survived by his children: Linda Greiner (Bernie), James Willers (Robyn), Roger Willers (Carlene Paulson), Jan Schutz (Tim), Brian Willers (Jann); grandchildren: Wendy Cooley (Shane), Michael Willers (Kelley), Justin Willers (Nicole), Matthew Willers, Shane Willers (Juana), Andrew Schutz (Jody Menear), Daniel Willers (Lauren), Joshua Willers (Kate), Sheila Hansen, Lowell Willers (Ivania), Jared Willers, and Miranda Bohnenkamp (Jake); step-grandchildren: Jasmine Silva (Joe), Rachael Monico (Greg), Coby Greiner (Paige), and Erika Rivera (Joel), Kirsten Hoaby; great-grandchildren: Payton, Skyler, and Avery Cooley; Maddex and Alianna Willers, Jason and Clayton Willers; Amsley, Sage, Kaylor, and Kolton Willers; Parker Menear-Schutz, Bonnie and Stevie Willers; Harper and Emerson Willers; Dexter, Knox, and Zoe Hansen; Kendrick and Ethan Willers; Mia and Dezmin Willers; and Jaxen and Macent Bohnenkamp; step-great-grandchildren: Garrett Menear-Carda, Karen Rodrigues, Colston and Kieran Silva; and Natalie and Miles Monico.  He was preceded in death by his wife, Shirley Willers; parents, Henry and Rose Willers; siblings, Loren Willers and Darlene Hart.

He was born on Easter Sunday, April 17, 1927, to Henry H. and Esther Rose (Kind) Willers in Wayne County, Nebraska. He lived on a farm with his parents, sister Darlene and brother Loren. He was baptized in Pilger, Nebraska, at St. Peters Lutheran Church. He attended country school in Stanton County at District 43. Upon completion of 8th grade, Wendell attended high school in Pilger, Nebraska. Immediately, following graduation, he was drafted into the Army, in June 1945. He took basic training at Camp Polk, Louisiana, and was later assigned to the Medical Corp. He went to Denver Fitzsimmons Hospital for training and reported to Augusta General Hospital in Augusta, Georgia, for 18 months before being discharged.

Wendell spent time helping on the family farm and working as a farm hired hand. He enjoyed going to dances at King’s Ballroom in Norfolk, Nebraska, where he met the love of his life, Shirley M. Gemelke. She happened to be on a date with his brother, so, being a wiseacre, he asked her to dance. She said yes, and that dance lasted into a lifetime of happiness. They were married on August 27, 1950, and lived in a little rented cottage that was blessed with a two-hole out house. She was afraid to go out in the dark alone, so, the saying goes: “those who go together, stay together.”

In 1951, they had daughter Linda, born in Wakefield, Nebraska, followed by son, James, in 1952 and son, Roger, in 1953. Their youngest daughter, Jan, and son, Brian, were born in Omaha, in 1956 and 1959, respectively. In 1955, they moved to Omaha, Nebraska, where he had a job as a welder for Independent Metal Co., later to be known as Fruehauf Trailer, LBT Div. After working in the shop as a welder and lead man, he was picked in April 1971 to be a customer service representative and held that job until retirement on Dec 31, 1993.

Wendell and Shirley enjoyed bowling and bowled with the same couple of friends for over 35 years. In that time, they only won the championship once. While maybe not the best bowlers, they sure had the most fun. They also enjoyed Fourth of July and New Years Eve celebrations with the same group of friends for over 50 years. In retirement, Wendell spent time watching grandchildren and great-grandchildren over the years when their parents were busy. They enjoyed going to football, baseball, basketball, soccer, softball, volleyball, and hockey games to watch all the great-grandchildren play.

The Willers Family have been members of Messiah Lutheran Church since 1961. All the children went to Sunday School and were confirmed here. Wendell and Shirley were co-sponsors of the Luther League, along with Marilyn Homburg; and Wendell was a member of the church council many times, as well as building committee member and part of the team that brought on Pastor Art Homburg. During Ralston’s Fourth of July celebration, Messiah used to provide ice cream, cake, and pie social. This took quite a bit of time and phone calls to organize for the committee.

Wendell loved sharing the newspaper comics with anyone who would listen and had a group chat with the great-grandchildren where he would send a picture of his favorite ones to them.

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MEMORIAL SERVICE with Military Honors: Wednesday, April 16, 2025 at 11am at Messiah Lutheran Church, 5015 S. 80th St. in Ralston, Nebraska, with VISITATION from 10:00am to 11:00am at the church.  Graveside Service on Thursday, April 17th, 2025 at 11:00am at Pilger, Nebraska Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Messiah Lutheran Church.

To view a live broadcast of the Memorial Service, please visit www.heafeyheafey.com and click the “Live Cast” button at the top of the home page.

Heafey-Hoffmann-Dworak-Cutler, West Center Chapel, 7805 West Center Road, Omaha, Ne 68124. (402)-391-3900. www.heafeyheafey.com