Avis Wiest June 8, 1932 ~ September 28, 2009
		Draucker Funeral Home 700 N. Spruce Street Post Office Box 296 Ogallala, NE 69153 Ph:  308.284.4021

 OBITUARY

   
Avis Wiest, 77, lifetime Ogallala resident, died at her home September 28, 2009.

Avis Wiest was born June 8, 1932 at her parents’ home southwest of Ogallala, Nebraska. She is the daughter of Carl Henry and Esther Mozelle Gard Wiest.

Avis was a student at rural School District #25 in Keith County, attending there for grades 1 through 8. She graduated from Ogallala High School with the Class of 1949. Following graduation and until 1951 she was employed by the L. J. Wittenberger Insurance Agency in Ogallala and performed general office work.

Avis’ next employment for twelve years was for Commercial Service Company which was a partnership of A.L. Reidesel & A.R. Johnson. Her duties included issuing new insurance policies, and handling renewals and claims. In 1963 Avis began working for TRW Capacitors in Ogallala as part of the secretarial pool in the sales department. Avis was promoted to Inside Distributor Sales Coordinator in 1969 and held that position until October 1987 when American Shizuki Corporation transferred the job to their California facility.

In the late 1980’s Avis was diagnosed with macular degeneration in both eyes. By 1997 she could no longer drive, read print, watch television, or recognize faces. Avis started receiving training from the Nebr. Visually Impaired office in North Platte to gain knowledge to remain an independent homemaker. In 1997 she was appointed by Gov. Ben Nelson to the State Rehabilitation Council to the Visually Impaired and then was re-appointed in 2000 by Gov. Mike Johanns for another three year term.

Avis was involved with the Grant/Ogallala Pathfinders Visually Impaired Support Group (VIPS) and also with the State organization. VIPS has over 1000 members in Nebraska. She has served as alternate from Area 2 to the state board.

In 2004 Avis was appointed by the Nebr. Library Commission to the Talking Book and Braille Service Advisory Committee. She served four years. Avis was active in the local twelve step recovery program for many years.

Before visual loss Avis’ hobbies included camping, fishing, photography, and daily trips with her dog. After vision loss Avis enjoyed spending time taking care of her yard and becoming an “oscillating sprinkler.” In 2001 she received the Prestigious Yard Award given by the Ogallala Women’s Committee of Chamber of Commerce.

In May 2006 Avis was baptized by Pastor Carl Ratcliff at the state Visually Impaired Workshop in Kearney. She later joined his congregation, the United Faith Community Church of Valley, NE.

Preceding her in death were her parents, two sisters Eileen Mong and Elaine Wellman;
Four brothers Marvin Wiest, Kendall Wiest, Arden Wiest, and Lyle Wiest.; and Beloved Special Friends: Ole Herstedt and Alkali Rusty.

Survivors include a sister Arlan and her husband Willis Mitchell of Lancaster, CA; a brother-in-law Martin Wellman of Kearney; and several nieces, nephews and many friends.

Friends may sign the register book on Wednesday, September 30th from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Draucker Funeral Home.

Funeral Service will be Thursday, Oct. 1, at 10:30 a.m. in Draucker Funeral Home. Rev. Jon Dickmander of the Brule St. Johns Lutheran Church will officiate. Interment in the Brule Cemetery.

Memorials have been established to the Ogallala Food Pantry and the Grant-Ogallala Pathfinders Visually Impaired Peer Support Group.

Online Condolences may be sent to by clicking here.

Draucker Funeral Home of Ogallala is in charge of arrangements.