Lloyd Charles Shalla

Shalla, Lloyd Charles

April 9, 1925 - May 6, 2022

Lloyd Charles Shalla of Omaha, NE, passed away on May 6, 2022, at the age of 97. Lloyd was born April 9, 1925, at the family farm just south of Odell, NE, to his parents, Charles H. and Mary Anna (Bures) Shalla. He attended country school, grades 1-8, then Odell High School, graduating at the age of 17. Lloyd was awarded a one year Regents Scholarship to the University of Nebraska in Lincoln, where he completed 1 year of study in Engineering before being drafted for World War II. He was inducted into the Navy December 11, 1943, in Omaha. He attended boot camp at Farragut, ID, and went through extensive training in electricity and advanced electronics. He was eventually assigned to a Combat Aircraft Service Unit at Astoria, OR, where he repaired and maintained seaplane radios, as well as Alameda, CA, and Widby Island, WA. He was discharged at Lambert Field in St. Louis on June 11, 1946. As is true of so many WWII veterans, Lloyd never felt that he had done anything special during the war.

As a result of the training Lloyd had in electronics, he was given credit toward his Electrical Engineering Degree, which he completed in January, 1949. During his time at the University, he met Gladyce K. Rupprecht, when they both worked at the University Publishing Company in Lincoln. They were married on January 21, 1948, moving to Omaha when Lloyd accepted his first engineering job at Omaha Public Power District in February of 1949. Working at OPPD until 1985, he held various positions including Chief Engineer, Head of Operations, Assistant General Manager, and General Manager. He also earned a Masters Degree in Nuclear Engineering while working full time. Lloyd was very active in Professional organizations: President of Nebraska State Engineers, President of Electrical Engineers (IEEE), and President of the Omaha Engineers Club. He was YMCA President, Rotary Club President, and was commissioned to start up a new club in western Douglas County.

Lloyd and Gladyce had two children: daughter, Kay and son, David. They lived in their home in the Keystone area for over 60 years, attending Calvary Lutheran Church, and later, Gethsemane Lutheran. Lloyd was very active at Calvary, serving on the Board of Deacons, Council, and as Usher Chair for many years. He was truly a farm boy at heart, cultivating and maintaining two gardens on his one acre property for nearly 60 years. He was also an avid bridge player.

Nebraska football was a passion for Lloyd and Gladyce. They attended games when he was at the University, and later in life when they could afford season tickets. He attended nearly every home game until he was 90 years old!

Lloyd is survived by his children, Kay (Gary) Pelcak of Junction City, KS, and Dave (Beth) Shalla of Springfield, MO; grandchildren, Brian (Emily) Pelcak, Mark (Julie) Pelcak, and Shallina (Marty) Goodnight; 1 step grandson, Brady Armstrong; 6 great grandchildren; one niece and one nephew. He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Norma Young; his wife, Gladyce; his brother-in-law, Dale Young; and a niece, Debbie Green.

As part of the greatest generation, Lloyd led a life of faith, integrity, hard work, humor, honesty, and patriotism. He will be sorely missed.

A CELEBRATION of LIFE SERVICE will be held on May 12 at 11am at the John A. Gentleman Mortuary at 1010 N. 72nd Street, Omaha, NE. VISITATION will take place one hour prior to the Service. Interment will be at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Omaha, NE. Memorial contributions may be sent to the Douglas County Humane Society or Gethsemane Lutheran Church in Omaha.

John A. Gentleman Mortuaries and Crematory

1010 North 72nd St. 402-391-1664 www.johnagentleman.com