Virgil Christian Stienike

Virgil Christian Stienike, age 101 of the Cozad / Eustis area, passed away September 30, 2014 at Meadowlark Pointe Assisted Living in Cozad. Virgil was born July 26, 1913 at Norman, Nebraska to Guy and Anna (Rasmussen) Stienike. Virgil grew up in the Elm Creek and Lexington area. He worked for a well business, digging many of the first irrigation wells in Dawson County. He also worked for a ditch company constructing irrigation ditches, and helped set poles for the REA in his early 20's. While putting in a well for Fred Schmeeckle, he met Fred's daughter Dorothy. On February 24, 1940, Virgil married Dorothy Schmeeckle at St. John's Lutheran Church in Eustis, Nebraska. They couple made their home in Cozad and were blessed with 2 daughters, DeeAnn and Cheryl. Virgil worked on the Railroad as a fireman on the locomotives. He was active in farming and ranching all of his life and enjoyed showing his cattle at stock shows. He was a pitcher for the Cozad and Lexington baseball teams and was an avid Husker fan and attended the games for many years. Virgil was a faithful and long time member of the American Lutheran Church, and was proud to be a charter member of the Cozad Elks Lodge #2250. He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather, and cherished time spent with his family. Virgil was an honest and hardworking man, and his handshake was his word. He will be missed by many. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife Dorothy in 2006; great granddaughter, Elizabeth; son-in-law Robert Maurer; 2 brothers, Alex and Elmer; and 2 sisters, Ruth and Viola. Virgil is lovingly survived by his 2 daughters, DeeAnn Remmers of Lincoln and Cheryl Maurer of Cozad; sister, Irene (Jim) Sorensen of Ft. Worth, TX; 3 sister-in-laws, Lois Stienike of Lincoln, Irene Stienike of Fremont and Lorainne Schmeeckle of Gothenburg; grandchildren, Jamie (Richard) Rudd of Omaha, Alisa (David) McCoy of Waverly and Robert (Stacy) Maurer of Eustis; 8 great grandchildren, Nicole Belt, Hadley, Isabella, and Sophia Rudd, Hudson McCoy and Claire, Chloe and Christian Maurer; and numerous other family member and friends. Memorials are suggested to the American Lutheran Church in Cozad. Services will be held Saturday, October 4, 2014 at 10:30 a.m. at the American Lutheran Church in Cozad with Pastor Mike Parsh officiating. Burial will be at the Cozad Cemetery. Visitation will be Friday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Berryman Funeral Home. Online condolences may be shared at berrymanfuneralhome.com. Berryman Funeral Home in Cozad is in charge of arrangements.