Dale Westerbuhr October 12, 1922 ~ July 20, 2010
		Draucker Funeral Home 700 N. Spruce Street Post Office Box 296 Ogallala, NE 69153 Ph:  308.284.4021

 OBITUARY

 
Dale Westerbuhr, 87, of Kearney and formerly of Ogallala, died July 20, 2010 at St. Lukes Good Samaritan Village in Kearney.

Dale was born October 12, 1922 in Brule, the son of Focke and Anna Harms Westerbuhr. He attended Brule Public Schools. After graduating from Brule High School in 1938 he was employed by Haggard Irrigation.

In 1941 Dale attended auctioneering school, before beginning work as a well driller for Haggard Irrigation.

On November 7, 1942 Dale enlisted in the Army Air Corp where he was an instructor while stationed at Fort Meyers, Florida. After his enlistment ended in December 1945 he returned to Brule. On June 30, 1946, Dale married Cleo West in Ogallala, where the couple made their home until they moved to Prairie View Gardens Assisted Living in Kearney in 2000.

Dale was employed by Gordon West Construction for 27 years. In 1965 Dale and Cleo purchased the family farm. In 1970 Dale began his own construction business, retiring in 1982.

Dale was a member of St. Pauls Lutheran Church, a past member of the Ogallala Volunteer Fire Department, and the Brule Lions Club.

His hobbies included collecting antique tools, genealogy, and considered himself to be an excellent judge of good food. One of his greatest joys was being Santa's assistant at Christmas. You could find him in his shop building kitchen cupboards, cedar chests, doll beds and tables with chairs. Dale also had a great love for music. He had sung for many weddings and funerals. He enjoyed music in his last moments.

Preceding him in death were his parents, his wife Cleo in 2003, a brother Elmer Westerbuhr and a sister Adeline McBride.

Survivors include two sons Gene (Donna) Westerbuhr of Kearney and Duane (Nancy) Westerbuhr of Helena, MT., and a daughter June (Elmer) Johnson of Copperas Cove, TX. Sister-in-law Margaret Westerbuhr of Brule, Six grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be Friday, July 23, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Draucker Funeral Home.

Funeral Service will be Saturday, July 24, at 10 a.m. in St. Pauls Lutheran Fellowship Hall in Ogallala. Rev. Jon Dickmander of the Brule St. Johns Lutheran Church will officiate.

Interment in the Brule Cemetery with military honors by Keith County Veterans Organization. A memorial has been established to the Ogallala Volunteer Fire Department.

Online Condolences may be sent by clicking here.

Draucker Funeral Home of Ogallala is in charge of arrangements.