Betty Tophoj July 12, 1929  ~  July 30, 2009
		Draucker Funeral Home 700 N. Spruce Street Post Office Box 296 Ogallala, NE 69153 Ph:  308.284.4021

 OBITUARY

 
Betty Tophoj, age 80, of Lincoln and formerly of Ogallala, died peacefully July 30, 2009 at her home surrounded by family. 

Betty was born July 12, 1929 in Big Springs, NE., the daughter of Wayne and Mary Vogt Farlin.  Betty was baptized on Easter Sunday April 9, 1939 and was confirmed at St. Mark's Ev. Lutheran Church in Valley in 1953.  She attended school in Chappell, graduating from Chappell High School in 1946.

She was employed at the Deuel County Courthouse until 1948 when she married Elwin Tophoj.

Elwin and Betty lived in Minneapolis for one year.  Elwin attended college and Betty was a secretary.  In 1949 they moved to Chadron where Elwin completed his education and Betty worked various jobs.  In 1951 they moved to Newman Grove and later resided in Valley for a short time.  The Tophojs were Ogallala residents from 1954 to 1999.  Elwin died in 1999 and then Betty moved to Lincoln to be closer to her daughter.

Betty was a member of First United Methodist Church of Ogallala and attended St. Mark's United Methodist Church of Lincoln.  Her hobbies included reading, crocheting, playing piano, gardening, and playing scrabble and dominoes.

Preceding her in death was her husband Elwin Tophoj, her father Wayne Farlin, and her mother and step-father Mary and Tom Borm.

Survivors include three sons:
Bruce Tophoj of San Antonio, TX
Brad (Krista) Tophoj of Grand Island, NE
Brian (Stephanie) Tophoj of Westminster, CO

One daughter:
Diane and her husband Robert Wheatley of Lincoln.

Three sisters:
Janice Baldridge, Chappell, NE
Mary Lynn Peterson, Chappell, NE
Nancy Duerr of Cedar Rapids, IA

Also grandchildren: 
Alicia & Matt Tippett, Jenny & Chris Elam, Jon & Amy Tophoj, Andrea Tophoj, Amy & Matt Harral, Trenton Tophoj, Liz & Blake Schwartz, Jenna & Jason Hyde, Nicholas Wheatley, Mikkel Tophoj,  and Joel Tophoj. Also three great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be Tuesday, Aug. 4, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Draucker Funeral Home.

Funeral Service will be Wednesday, Aug. 5, at 10 a.m. in Ogallala First United Methodist Church with Rev. James Miller officiating. Interment in the Ogallala Cemetery. 

Memorials have been established to the American Cancer Society, Horisun Hospice of Lincoln, and First United Methodist Church of Ogallala.

Draucker Funeral Home of Ogallala is in charge of arrangements.