Sara Mae Riebschlager

Sara Mae Riebschlager, of Lexington, Nebraska, passed away peacefully in her home surrounded by her children on Sunday, February 5, 2017, at the age of 96 years, 10 months, and 15 days. She was born March 21, 1920, in Miami, Oklahoma to James Henry and Matilda Amelia (Wiegel) Hoskins. The family lived in various places throughout the state. Sara was married to Lewis Racicky on October 24, 1937, in Erickson, Nebraska. To this union four children were born; Loretta Jean, Robert Anthony, Mary Phyllis, and Cathy Kay. Lewis was killed in a farming tractor accident on September 13, 1951. She then married Robert Joseph Riebschlager on October 31, 1952. Two children were born to this marriage; Peggy LeAnne, and Benjamin Joseph. During this marriage they lived in Spalding, Pleasanton, Cozad, and moved to Lexington in 1982. Robert preceded her in death on March 17, 1994. Growing up Sara was a hard worker, cleaning houses for several different families, all while taking care of her own. She was a “Jack of all trades”. She loved to garden and her flower gardens were the envy of many. She was a design master, she could knock down, rebuild, paint, and wallpaper any room in the house (and she did so many, many times in every house she lived in). She was a farm girl at heart, walking alongside her husband milking cows, feeding hogs, and caring for the chickens. She had a nurturing nature, she was a kind, gentle, loving mother to not only her children, but also her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren. Family meant the world to her and she made it a point to put them first. She leaves to mourn her children; Robert (Debra) Racicky of Mason City, Nebraska, Mary (Richard) Gibbons of Sutherland, Nebraska, Cathy (Sam) Racicky-Swisher of Oshkosh, Nebraska, Peggy Schram of Lexington, Nebraska, and Benjamin (Audrey) Riebschlager of Overton, Nebraska; twenty-four grandchildren, twelve great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren; her very dear friend, Leardis Frerichs, as well as her beloved bird, Pretty Boy. Sara was preceded in death by her husbands; parents; daughter, Loretta Jean; son-in-law, John Schram, one great-grandchild, one great-great-grandchild; two brothers, Art Loper, and Howard “Butch” Hoskins; and, one sister, Elsie Schamp. Mass of Christian Burial will be Friday, February 10, 2017, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Lexington with Reverends Neal Nollette and Paul Colling con-celebrating. Burial will be in the Evergreen Cemetery at Lexington. Visitation will be Thursday, February 9, 2017, from 5-6 p.m. with Wake Service to follow at 6:00 p.m. at Reynolds-Love Chapel in Lexington. Memorials are suggested to the family for later designation. Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington is assisting the family with arrangements. Please share online condolences with the family by visiting: reynoldslovefuneralhome.com.