Oscar William Ziebell

Oscar W. Ziebell, 95, of Lexington, Nebraska, passed away on Tuesday, June 25, 2013, at the Shackley Retirement Village in Lexington. He was born May 12, 1918, in Arapahoe, Nebraska, to Wilhelm B. and Sophie (Esslinger) Ziebell. Oscar attended school at Immanuel Lutheran School northeast of Arapahoe. Oscar lived at home until 1940 where he worked at various farms for his Uncle William Monter. He then worked on the J-1 and J-2 powerhouse at Johnson Lake. Before Oscar enlisted into the Navy he joined the CCC (Civilian Conservation Corporation), also known as FDR’s Tree Army. They planted trees, built dams and did terrace work on farm fields with shovels and wheelbarrows. Oscar enlisted in the United States Navy as a Seaman in October of 1941, he spent time in Pearl Harbor, Melbourne, Australia and San Juan, Puerto Rico. Oscar served his country and was honorably discharged in St. Louis Missouri, in October of 1945. Oscar was united in marriage to Hertha Monter on February 10, 1946, in Arapahoe, Nebraska. Three children were blessed to this marriage: Janet, Don and Jolene. The family lived in Lexington where Oscar worked at the Lexington Mill & Elevator sacking livestock feed and then worked for Dawson County Motors. In 1960, they had a shop built called “Oscar’s Garage,” which he ran until retiring in 1981. On August 15, 1977, Hertha passed away. On June 17, 1978, he married Verna Beyl Pittenger. They did quite a bit of traveling in the United States until Verna’s health started deteriorating. She would pass away on August 22, 2008. Oscar enjoyed woodworking, gardening and worked for Hillside Farms with the fall harvest. He also liked playing pool and Domino’s with his friends at the Grand Generation Center and made many close friends while living at Shackely Retirement Village. Family was also very important to Oscar and he will be greatly missed. Survivors include his son; Don (Jill) Ziebell of Lincoln, Nebraska; daugthers, Janet (Dennis) Austin of Brighton, Colorado and Jolene Ziebell of Madison, Nebraska; step-daughter, Diana McCartney of Chappell, Nebraska; step-son-in-law, Dan Nelson of Lincoln, Nebraska; sister, Irene Monter – Chadwick of Denver, Colorado; five grandchildren; Kevin (Shannon) Ziebell of Gretna, Nebraska; Kim (Doug) Glaze of Lexington, Nebraska; Nathan (Jessaca) Austin of Brighton, Colorado; Scott (Amanda) Austin of Brighton, Colorado and Megan (Trevor) Strohfus of Thornton, Colorado and eight great-grandchildren Oscar was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife Hertha, second wife Verna, two brothers; Lorenz and Emil; two sisters; Marie Weber and Ida Roth, step-son, Gordon Dean Pittenger and step-daughter, Linda Nelson Funeral Services will be Saturday, June 29, 2013, at 10:30 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lexington with Pastor Rob Kuefner & Vicar Bill Ohlmann, officiating. Burial will be at Greenwood Cemetery in Lexington. Visitation will be held Friday, June 28, 2013, from 5-7 p.m. at Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington, Nebraska. Memorials are suggested to Trinity Lutheran Church. Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington is in charge of arrangements. Please share online condolences with the family through:reynoldslovefuneralhome.com