Gerry Boller Passes At 92; Services Will Be June 10

Gerry Boller passed away on Tuesday, June 3, 2025 at the Gardens Assisted Living in Crete at the age of 92. She was born on August 28, 1932 in Milford, the third of six children to parents Elmer H. and Stella A. (Dainton) Danekas. 

As a young girl, Gerry attended grade school District 92 and later graduated from Dorchester in 1949. She decided to further her education by going to Doane College, where she received her teacher’s certificate to become a schoolteacher. 

Gerry was a lifelong resident of Milford who grew up on the farm, where she was a respected member of the community. She married her first husband, Charles Leon Parks, at West Blue Church in rural Milford on July 5, 1952. She was blessed with a second marriage to Lynn Rolland Boller on June 9, 1990, in Lincoln. After three years of dedicated service as a rural schoolteacher at School District 84, she also worked at Pamida in Crete for 10 years, served the District Court for three summer terms, Metro Mailing Accounting, and temporarily worked at Phone Services for GTE. 

Her commitment to her work was as palpable as her love for her family and community. Gerry was an avid reader and also loved babysitting her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She and her husband Lynn spent many happy years traveling to Mission, Texas. Her compassionate spirit and supportive nature were a constant source of comfort and inspiration to those around her. 

Gerry is survived by her sons and daughters Terry (Brenda) Parks, Nemaha, NE, Stephen (Vicky) Parks, Dorchester, NE, Sheri Davids, Pleasant Dale, NE, David (Donna) Parks, Milford, NE, Rob (Sherri) Parks, Milford, NE, Jeannie Boller (Mike Wardy), Roca, NE, Susan Kellaugh, Crete, NE, Bill (LuJean) Boller, Dorchester, NE; 11 grandchildren; 20 great grandchildren; one great great granddaughter; 9 step grandchildren; sister Jane Riley, Seward, NE; brothers Don (Ann) Danekas, Milford, NE, and Doyle (Judy) Danekas, Lincoln, NE. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Lynn Boller, sisters Phyllis Vosta, Shirley Kotil, and son-in-law Merl Davids. 

Visitation: 2:00 – 8:00 p.m. Monday, June 9, 2025, at the Lauber Funeral Home in Milford, NE. Family will greet and receive relatives and friends from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. at the Funeral Home. 

Funeral Service: 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, June 10, 2025, at the Dorchester United Methodist Church. Interment: Dorchester Cemetery, Dorchester, following the Funeral Service. 

Memorials are in the care of the family for a future designation. Lauber Funeral and Cremation Services – Milford. We invite you to share your memories of Gerry and upload photos to her memorial page. Your stories will help us keep her memory alive and honor the remarkable woman she was.

Marilyn Wolfe Passes At Age 87; Services This Saturday

Marilyn Jo Wolfe was born east of Swanton, Nebraska to Joseph and Libbie (Wanek) Stirba on 7 January 1938. She passed into Glory on 4 June 2025 at Fairview Manor, Fairmont, Nebraska. She was 87.

Marilyn grew up on her parents’ farm and went to school in Swanton, graduating Salutatorian of her class in 1955. Starting in about 8th Grade, she began to report local news to the Wilber Republican Newspaper and the Beatrice daily Sun. This kept her busy calling residents of the Swanton area from her grandparents’ phone or going door to door asking for news items. She met Roger Wolfe in 1954, while he was in the Air Force, they were engaged October of 1955 and married at the Swanton Methodist Church, 19 February 1956. To this union, four children were born, Roger JR, Diane, Julie, and Christian.

Marilyn began attending the “East Church” a mile east of her home when a little girl. But a neighbor began doing Story Hour at the Methodist Church in Swanton and that is where she trusted in Jesus as her Savior being baptized at about eleven years old.

Marilyn started her married life as an Air Force wife and working as a secretary at the University of Nebraska, but after Roger separated from the Air Force in 1957, she became a farm wife, returning to her roots. Marilyn also was The Avon Lady and sold Studio Girl Cosmetics for many years. From 1973-1974 she was a cook at the Crete Hospital. From 1979-2005, she drove a school bus for Dorchester Public Schools. For many years, Marilyn and Roger delivered newspapers to much of the Dorchester area.

When Roger became a pastor, she assisted Roger with his ministries. They sang many a duet at church services and funerals during the many years of Saline Baptist Ministries. She assisted Roger with many details of the ministry. She also assisted with dad’s duties a Chaplain for the American Legion. She was a long-time member of the Legion Auxiliary. All this time, she enjoyed helping with the farm chores, because Roger and Marilyn were involved in agriculture most of their lives. She spent most of her life in Saline County and a great deal of that in the Dorchester area. For 69 years, she was at the side of Roger, as she was when she passed.

Marilyn is survived by her husband Roger, children Roger JR (Diane)Wolfe, Diane (Michael)Turner, Julie (Joe) Holly and Christian Wolfe. Grandchildren Erin Tyler, Jeremiah Wolfe, David Wolfe, Shane Krasser, Destinee Ingwersen, Benjamin Holly, Adam Holly, Nathaniel Holly, Amber Holly, Casey Wolfe and Ashley Spaustat. Great grandchildren Andrew Jessen-Tyler, Parker Tyler, Emma Tyler, Faith Wolfe, Ashtyn Wolfe, Levi Wolfe, Mary Wolfe, Matej Ingwersen, Beckett Spaustat, Russell Spaustat & Robert Spaustat. Nephews Sheldon Tyser and Greg Tyser.

Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents, parents in laws Tony and Gladys Wolfe, sister Corrine and brother-in-law, Dwain Tyser, grandson Lewis Krasser, granddaughter Angel Holly, great grandson Devin Krasser, and daughter in law DiAnn “Dee Dee” Wolfe.

Services will be held on Saturday, June 7, 2025, at 2 p.m. at Kuncl Funeral Home in Crete. The service will be live streamed and can be accessed via https://evt.live/marilyn-wolfe-funeral-service

Visitation will be on Friday from 5-7 p.m. and Saturday noon until service time at the funeral home.

Pallbearers are Greg Tyser, Jeremiah Wolfe, David Wolfe, Benjamin Holly, Adam Holly, Nathaniel Holly.

Honorary Pallbearers are Sheldon Tyser, Erin Tyler, Ashley Spaustat, Casey Wolfe, Amber Holly, Destinee Ingwersen.

Arrangements entrusted to Kuncl Funeral Home in Crete. 

NEWS ROUND-UP: DHS Track And Field Stars Place At State

 

DHS Stars Place At State Track and Field Championship: Earlier this month, three DHS athletes qualified for the 2025 Nebraska High School Track and Field Championship Meet in Omaha, held May 23-24. When the dust settled, two Lady Longhorns brought home medals. Standout Junior Bailey Theis placed 13th in the discus (106 ft. and 3 in.) and third in shot put (42 ft and 11 in.). Senior Baylor Behrens finished seventh in 300 meter hurdles, setting a new school record of 47:35, while placing ninth in 100 meter hurdles -- again setting a new school record with a 16:47 run. Longhorn Faith Elkins also performed well, coming in 18th in 100 meter hurdles (17:51) and 23rd in 100 meter dash (13:51). Congrats to these student athletes for representing the community so well. 

DHS Journalism Scores Well in State, National Contests: Dorchester High School's journalism program recently celebrated several students who placed in the Nebraska Press Women’s High School Communications Contest. Senior Gabby Theis captured first place in Yearbook Copywriting, second in Yearbook Photo, and honorable mention in Editorial Cartooning and Double-Truck Layout. Hailey Schweitzer took home first place in Double-Truck Layout and honorable mention in Yearbook Layout. Mackenzie Luzum captured second place in Double-Truck Layout and Honorable Mention in Opinion. Bailey Theis received second in Yearbook Copywriting. Andrea Pavlish won third in Yearbook Photo and in Editorial. Joseph Peacock captured Honorable Mention in Yearbook Copywriting. Gabby and Hailey’s first-place entries competed nationally and both placed third in the National Federation of Press Women High School Communications Contest. 

Dorchester's Jacee Zoubek Earns UNL Honors: Dorchester graduate was among just 24 students from UNL's College of Education and Human Sciences who were recognized as Chancellor’s Scholars during the undergraduate commencement ceremonies May 17 at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Chancellor’s Scholars are students who have maintained a 4.0 GPA on all collegiate work at Nebraska and elsewhere. Jacee graduated with a degree in nutrition, exercise and health sciences, and is the daughter of Brent Zoubek and Lindsey Zoubek.

National Spotlight on Dorchester's Dan Nerud: Dorchester's Dan Nerud is a fourth-generation farmer who also serves as a director for the Nebraska Corn Board and Board member for the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA). Nerud recently spoke with Successful Farming magazine and podcast to discuss producer groups, farming with family, and mental health. Beyond all things agriculture, Nerud shared his experience with depression, which multiple studies show is between 2-5 times higher in farmers than the rest of the population, according to the publication. He said being prescribed antidepressants was a "game changer" for him, and his goal is to make sure other farmers dealing with depression know there is help available. He stressed the importance of watching out for others, encouraging family and friends to speak up if they notice changes in a loved one.

Memorial Day Services Set For Monday

Memorial Day kicks off the summer season. Let's not forget the reason behind the holiday.

We should all take time this Memorial Day -- Monday, May 26 -- to pay homage to the true meaning of this special day of remembrance.

According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, between 1775 and 1991, the U.S. military recorded 651,031 battle deaths and 539,054 non-combat deaths, totaling 1.19 million fatalities. From 1980 to 2022, there were more than 10,000 recorded deaths related to military activities.

Dorchester's Memorial Day program is a tradition in our area that we are proud to honor.  It is a heartfelt tribute to our fallen military heroes -- past and present -- who sacrificed their lives to protect our country and its freedoms.  

The Dorchester American Legion will host two Memorial Day services:

• 10 a.m. at the Dorchester Cemetery; and
• 11 a.m. at the Pleasant Hill Cemetery

Lunch follows services at Dorchester Legion Hall on Dorchester's Washington Ave.

In case of rain, please meet at the Dorchester Legion at 10 a.m.

 

The Dorchester Legion Bar and Grill will be open most of the day, from noon to 8 p.m., according to social media reports.

The Old Bell: Pride Of DPS Campus Since 1932

The Dorchester Public School's bell monument, now located prominently in front of the school building's main entrance, features the refurbished bell from the 1890 school building. 

How many of you know the story behind the bell?

For those old enough to remember, the old school bell was showcased as part of a 1932 brick monument, just east of the 1927 school building, which was demolished in the summer of 2008. The old bell monument was razed a few years earlier due to its weakened structure and safety concerns.

Thanks to a loyal reader, the Dorchester Times was sent a May 1932 DHS alumni newsletter, which helped us uncover a little more history behind the old monument and the school bell itself.

According to an Dorchester High School Alumni Pep Bulletin article written by W.R. Freidell (DHS Class of 1907), the bell was salvaged from "the wreckage of the old red brick school house" after that building was demolished in 1930. 

That's when the DHS Alumni Association asked DHS graduate Merion Mooberry (Class of 1916), a skilled architect, to design "an appropriate mounting for this bell." (Editor's note: The sketch below is from the May 1932 issue of the Bulletin.)

The original bell monument was unveiled at the fifth-annual DHS alumni banquet May 21, 1932. The "historic landmark and "grandsire of the campus" was presented to alumni by its builder, DHS graduate and contractor Thomas Grey Jr. 

The newsletter reports the bell was mounted in "a lovely designed, final resting place just east of the new high school." 

Following the alumni banquet, toasts were made "around the traditional old bell."

Tickets for the 1932 alumni banquet were reduced to 65 cents a plate, due to "Old Man Oppression" -- or the Great Depression, as we call it today. But attendees still received the "same big three-course dinner" per the order of Mrs. Panter, chair of the banquet and wife of the town doctor.

Following the monument dedication and banquet dinner, alumni were invited to visit the historian's exhibit entitled, "See Yourselves as Others Saw You on Your Graduation Night Years Ago."

LOOKING BACK: Joe Wagner's Mobil Station

The year is 1961. Your car needs an oil change or a mechanical fix. 

What do you do? 

Well, 64 years ago, you had several options in Dorchester. You could take your car to the new Farmers Co-op service station, or to one of two garages in town: Sehnert's Ford Garage -- or Joe Wagner's Mobil filling station and garage across the street.

A few years ago, Derek Filipi of Wilber (Joe's grandson) sent us this photograph of Wagner's. Click on the photo for a better view.

The filling station and garage operated at the present site of Barley's Specialties.  

After Wagner's went out of business, the building was sold to the Danielson family. In the 1980s, it was briefly home to Zabka's Phillips 66 station and convenience store.

Older residents will recall that during the 1950s, it was Arnold's Mobil, which was owned and operated by longtime resident Arnold Bobolz for several years.

NEWS ROUND-UP: Behrens, Elkins, Theis Headed to State Track and Field Meet

Three Lady Longhorns Headed to State: When the dust settled at this week's Class D-1 District Track Meet at Pawnee City, Dorchester High School found itself with three athletes qualifying for Nebraska's State High School Track and Field Championship Meet in Omaha later this month. Baylor Behrens qualified in the 100 and 300 meter hurdles; Bailey Theis qualified in shot put and discus; and Faith Elkins qualified in the 100 meter hurdles and 100 meter dash. Congrats to these student athletes for their hard work and standout performances. Check out the events schedule for the state track and field championships, which will be May 23-24 for Class D.

Behrens Sets New DHS Record: Congratulations goes to DHS senior Baylor Baylor Behrens for setting a new school record in the girls' 100 meter hurdles. Behrens' time was 16.57, enough to break the former record held by Neileen Filipi.

May 15 Deadline to Register for DHS Alumni Banquet: On Saturday evening, May 24, Dorchester alumni -- young and old and in-between -- will gather to recall the good times and celebrate the school that gave them their start. The 2025 Dorchester Alumni Banquet will be held at the DHS gym. Doors will open at 5 p.m. and the banquet will start at 6 p.m. RSVP to Jessica Tuttle by Thursday, May 15, by calling the school at (402) 946-2781. For those who'd like to carry on their conversations beyond the banquet, the Dorchester American Legion has traditionally been open after the banquet. City Slickers and East Side are also options.

Main Street Median Getting Irrigation: Dorchester's famous main street median (actually Washington Ave. median) is getting underground sprinklers. Work has been ongoing for the past week as old curbing is being removed and the underground tubing goes in. This follows last fall's main street resurfacing project.

DPS Has Elementary Teacher Opening: Dorchester Public School currently has a first grade opening for the 2025-2026 school year. Learn more here.