Darrel Wissmann

Darrel Wissmann

Bertrand resident, 82

KEARNEY - A funeral service for Darrel L. Wissmann will be held on Thursday, September 28, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Elwood, Nebraska with Reverend Aaron Witt officiating. Interment will follow at the Elwood Cemetery, Elwood.

Darrel LeRoy Wissmann, 82 years, passed away on Sunday, September 24, 2023, at the CHI Health Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney, Nebraska, surrounded by his family. Darrel was born on March 22, 1941, on the family farm near Turkey Creek in Gosper County, Nebraska to Fred and Emma (Hess) Wissmann. He was baptized and confirmed at the Elwood Methodist Church.

He attended Elwood Public Schools graduating with the class of 1958. He pursued higher education from Kearney State College and pursued education throughout his life, and had received his Master's Degree and was still continuing his education.

On August 10, 1968, he was united in marriage to Judy Baxter at Palisade, Nebraska, and they were blessed with two daughters: Jodie and Lori. Darrel taught one year at Amherst Public Schools and coached football and girls track. The family made their home in Bertrand, where Darrel taught Industrial Arts and coached football, wrestling and track at Bertrand Community Schools.

Darrel started his ministry in 2000 in Cozad, Nebraska, and was later ordained at Fridhem Lutheran Church in Funk, Nebraska. He also served other area churches including: Bethel Lutheran Church in Holdrege, and most recently, was minister at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Republican City, Nebraska, until his retirement in 2022. Darrel faithfully served as Pastor for over 23 years. He loved his church families dearly and compassionately and always felt it a privilege and a joy to pastor.

He enjoyed spending time with his family, umpiring and refereeing many sports, watching his grandchildren's activities, reading, bowling, and playing fast and slow pitch softball.

Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Vera Haney; brother, Ervin Wissmann (Marie); father-in-law and mother-in-law, Viron and Mildred Baxter; and two nieces, Lola (John) Ladwig; and Bev Fuhrmann.

He leaves to cherish his memory; his wife Judy of Bertrand; daughters, Jodie Hotovy and her husband, David of Elkhorn, Nebraska; and Lori Knoerzer and her husband, Bryant of Elwood, Nebraska; five grandchildren: Felicia Schuster and her husband, Caden of Aurora, Nebraska; Alivia Knoerzer; and Drew Knoerzer, both of Elwood; Allison Brown and husband, James of Papillion; Matt Hotovy and wife, Bryn of Omaha, Nebraska; one great-granddaughter: Parklyn Brown; sisters-in-law and brother-in law: Barb Reilly and husband, John of Omaha; Patty Post and husband, Jerry of Palisade, Nebraska; and David Baxter and wife, Debi of Driggs, Idaho; along with a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, September 27, 2023 from 5-8 p.m. with the family greeting from 6-7:30 p.m. at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Elwood.

A memorial has been established in Darrel's honor and kindly suggested to the Bertrand Fire and Rescue Squad or to establish a local scholarship in Darrel's honor.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at nelsonbauer.com. The Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege is in charge of the arrangements.