Warren Erich Bierman

Warren Erich Bierman, 78, of Lexington, Nebraska, died Thursday, February 2, 2017, at his home. Warren was born Feb. 21, 1938 at Battle Creek, and raised on the farm of his parents, Erich and Clara (Carstens) Bierman. He was baptized at St. John’s Lutheran Church on March 6, 1938 and confirmed on April 19, 1951, also at St. John’s. He attended St. John’s Lutheran School at Battle Creek and graduated from Battle Creek High School with the Class of 1955. He continued his education at Midland Lutheran College in Fremont, where he was a member of the basketball and track teams, Blue Key and Kappa Phi fraternity. He graduated from Midland in 1959 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. On July 23, 1960, he married Brenda Jane Grant at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church (Heights) south of Battle Creek. They moved to Papillion where he was already employed by Wilson and Company of Omaha. From 1959 to 1963 he managed the breaking and boneless beef departments at Wilson. In 1963 the couple moved to Green Bay, Wis., where Warren was assistant sales manager for Liebmann Packing Company. On July 5, 1965, they returned to Nebraska where Warren accepted a position as sales manager for Cornland Dressed Beef Company in Lexington and also Minden Beef Company. In 1970 he became president and manager of Cornland Dressed Beef Company, a post he held until 1983. He also served as a vice president of Hy-Plains Dressed Beef Company, based in Dodge City, Kan. From 1983 to 2003 he operated Oconto Cattle Co. at Oconto, Neb., growing the facility from pasture and farm ground to a feedlot with a capacity of 12,500 head. He was active in the Lexington community and his church. He was a member of the Lexington Chamber of Commerce, serving as chamber president from 1973-74. He helped spearhead the community’s 1974 Plum Creek Days celebration and in 1975 was instrumental in helping organize the Lexington United Way. He also served many years on the Lexington State Bank board of directors. Among the things important to Warren were his faith, family, sports and livestock. His outdoor time was spent evaluating cattle, grassland and crops. A member of Trinity Lutheran Church, he served on many committees and the board of elders, was a past chairman of the congregation and just completed a term as chairman of the stewardship committee. He was also active in the Lutheran Laymen’s League on the local and district levels. In addition, he served as a member of the Nebraska District-LCMS board of directors from 1974-82, on the Lutheran Family Service board of directors from 1980-82, the Nebraska District nominations committee from 1985-91 and 14 years as president of the Trinity Lutheran Foundation. A lifelong promoter of the beef industry, Warren was active in the Dawson County T-Bone Club, serving a term as president, as well as the Nebraska Cattlemen and the Nebraska Feedlot Council. He was a past member of the Dawson County advisory committee for Central Community College and also a past member of the advisory board for the West Central Research and Extension Center at North Platte. He was member of the Lakeside Country Club board of directors and in recent years enjoyed golf with his weekly foursome and grandsons. He supported his family in many ways by attending first his daughters’ activities and then those of his grandchildren. He was a past recipient of the Dawson County 4-H Meritorious Service Award for service as a leader of the Boots ‘N Spurs 4-H Club. Warren had Parkinson’s disease and until his death was an encourager and supporter of the local Parkinson’s support group. Survivors include his wife, Brenda of Lexington; his daughters, Tammy (Tim) Gregerson of Herman, Wendy (Doug) Dockweiler of Callaway, Deb (Dan) Vahle of Grand Island, and Sheri (Glenn) Bundy of Willmar, Minn.; grandchildren, Garret Gregerson of Lincoln, Katheryn Gregerson of Manhattan, Kan., Michala Dockweiler of Kearney, Layton Dockweiler of Lincoln, Kalen Dockweiler of Callaway, Tucker Vahle of Chadron, Noah Vahle of Grand Island, and step-grandchildren Devin and Halle Bundy of Willmar, Minn.; and one brother-in-law, Richard Grant of Battle Creek. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Clarence, sister-in-law, Ruth Bierman and sister, Carol Grant. Visitation will be held Sunday, February 5, 2017, from 2-4 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lexington. Funeral Services will be held Monday, February 6, 2017, at 10:00 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church with Pastors Rob Kuefner and Bill Ohlmann officiating. Burial will be that same afternoon at 3:30 p.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Cemetery at Battle Creek, Nebraska. Memorials are suggested to the National Parkinson’s Foundation, Lutheran Hour Ministry, or Trinity Lutheran Church. Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington is assisting the family with arrangements. To share online condolences with the family please visit: reynoldslovefuneralhome.com.