Ernest Dobesh

Former area resident, 86

GRAND ISLAND - Ernest Leonard "Ernie" Dobesh, 86, of Grand Island died Monday, April 21, 2008, at St. Francis Medical Center in Grand Island.

Services will be at 9 a.m. Saturday at Grace Lutheran Church in Grand Island with the Rev. Daniel Bremer officiating. Burial with military honors will be at Westlawn Memorial Park Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday at All Faiths Funeral Home in Grand Island with family present after 6 p.m.

He was born July 31, 1921, at Spring Ranch in Clay County to John and Mary (Barta) Dobesh.

On Sept. 15, 1946, he married Wilma Bangert southwest of Lawrence.

Survivors include his wife of 61 years; sons and daughters-in-law, Cletis and Beth Dobesh of Omaha, Gregory Dobesh of Grand Island and Michael and Patty Dobesh of Wood River; sisters, Lillian Johnson of Holdrege and Margaret Skalka of Doniphan; sister-in-law, Margie Dobesh of Kearney; grandchildren, Jon Dobesh of Lincoln, Brad and Kelly Dobesh and Jennifer Dobesh, all of Wood River, and Klesha and Josh Miller of Crete; stepgrandsons, Josh and Jake Van Pelt; five great-grandchildren; and one stepgreat-grandson.

At a young age he went to work in Aurora at Hamilton County Hybrid Seed Co., where later he became foreman. In 1942, he took a voluntary induction in the U.S. Army and served in the Chemical Warfare Service. He was honorably discharged in 1945.

In 1947 he graduated from the International Detective Training School of Washington, D.C., and worked in that field at various times until his death.

After his Army service, he began work in Kearney at Cornhusker Hybrid Seed Co. as production manager. He also worked part time at Kearney Foundry and Well Drilling Co. and was a tax assessor for Buffalo County. He was one of the first to introduce anhydrous ammonia in the state of Nebraska.

He and his wife were married at Zion Lutheran Church southwest of Lawrence. In early 1952, he and his family moved to a farm northeast of Wood River and began farming and were still involved until his death. During that time, they also farmed in the Atkinson area.

He was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Wood River for many years, served on the building committee and finance committee and was church treasurer. He was on the District 76 School Board and served as treasurer. He was the leader of 76 Huskers 4-H Club and past ASCS committee man and FmHA committee man. He was appointed to serve on the draft board during the Vietnam War. During that time, two of his sons served in the Army.

He was a forerunner in the early years of Husker Harvest Days. Later, he was the farm manager and took over the farming at the site, the exhibit area and test plots for a number of years.

He was a past member of the chamber of commerce, the AIN board and the Industrial Foundation. He was a past member of the Grand Island Rotary Club and a Paul Harris Fellow. He was a member of the American Legion Club, Platt Duetsche Society and the Saddle Club, and a board member of Crime Stoppers. He was an admiral in the Great Navy of the State of Nebraska and a member of the Grand Island Port.

In late 1983, he and his wife moved to Grand Island from the farm. They transferred to Grace Lutheran Church in Grand Island. In 1988, he was elected to the City Council from Ward 2, and in 1990 he was elected mayor. After his term he spent his time at the farm. He enjoyed ice fishing, playing cards and visiting with friends and family.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Julie Davidson; and brother, Justus.

Memorials are suggested to Heartland Lutheran High School.

Condolences may be sent to www.giallfaiths.com.