Alfred Wayne "Sarge" Cornelius

Alfred Wayne Cornelius

October 7, 1927 – September 30, 2023

Alfred Wayne Cornelius "Sarge," 95 years old, of Fremont, Nebraska, passed away peacefully in his home on Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023.

Wayne was born in Arlington, Nebraska to Nels and Jessie Cornelius on Oct. 7, 1927. He married Hannah Thimsen on Oct. 28, 1950, in Fremont, Nebraska. He was a devoted caregiver to his wife for 10 years prior to her death in 2019.

He was an extremely proud Marine Veteran; he served during the Korean War era. You would often see him with his Marine cap on while going on a walk around town or out for breakfast with his son-in-law, Tom, in the morning.

Wayne was known for his wicked sense of humor and his entertaining, often exaggerated, stories. He could fix or build just about anything. He loved talking about his family, cars, barn dances and the places he lived during his life. He was an incredibly hard worker and prided himself on providing for his family. He was an amazing father, grandfather, and "Old Papa."

Wayne was preceded in death by his parents Nels and Jessie; his beloved wife Hannah; his children, Deborah, Edward and Mary; and grandson, Graham Neary; his brothers, Jim and Elmer Cornelius; and his sisters, Marion Nelson, Dorothy Bednarz and Maxine Richter.

He is survived by: his baby sister, Jessie Ann Waterman of Omaha; his children, Tresa Sewick (Thomas, MSG (retired) of Fremont, Rhonda Fisher (Preston) and Robin Wojcik (Joseph), both of Durango, Colorado, Brenda Cornelius (William Weisert) of St. Paul, Minnesota, and Wayne Cornelius of Phoenix, Arizona; 16 grandchildren; 32 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren.

At Wayne's request, there will be no funeral or memorial service. Instead, he asked that friends and loved ones enjoy a glass of scotch, at their own expense.