Dewey Nemetz

Funeral services have been set for 73 years old Dewey Nemetz of 610 South 16th street in Blair. Mr. Nemetz died on Tuesday, April 1st at an Omaha Hospital following a brief illness. The funeral service will be held on Monday, April 7th, at the Saint Francis Borgia Catholic Church in Blair at 9 a.m. Father Daniel Galas will officiate with the Campbell Funeral Home in charge of arrangements and burial in the Holy Cross Cemetery in Blair.

Rosary will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 6th, at the Campbell Funeral Home in Blair, 17th and South Streets.

Mr. Nemetz was born at Blair, Nebraska on June 9, 1907 to Fred and Mary Nemetz. He was a Blair High graduate, attended Dana College, received a teaching degree from the University of Nebraska and studied law at the University of Omaha.

He was married to Priscilla Colfer, of McCook. His wife Priscilla survives him along with two sons, one daughter, two brothers, one sister and four grandchildren. The children are: Jim of Hastings, John of Rosemead, California and Kathy of Omaha.

The surviving brothers are: Fred of Redding, California; Don of Cornwall, Prince Edward Canada and one sister: Mrs. Max Bain (Lucille) of Blair.

Mr. Nemetz was very active in many civic undertakings and was well known for his “Letter to the Editor” in local and metropolitan newspapers. He also had “Guest Editorials” printed by many newspapers including Blair, Lincoln and Omaha.

He had a wide variety of work experiences including State of Nebraska surveying crews, Assistant Editor of the Nebraska Historical Society publication, Ford Motor Company, C. A. Cooper Feed Company, the U.S. Treasury Department and Washington County Sheriff’s Department.

He was very active in the State and local Democratic party, spearheaded the Blair Commercial Travelers Club, worked with the State Infantile Paralysis charity, worked at getting the completion of Highway 73 between Blair and Fort Calhoun, and most recently organized the newly formed Washington County Boosters Club.

In January of 1979 Dewey Nemetz was honored by the Blair Chamber of Commerce by being awarded the “Ambassador’s Award.” This award is given annually to a person that has done a lot for the community of Blair.

Because of his many years with the government, he became a personal friend of many of Nebraska’s head of State. This friendship helped many times in getting special consideration for Washington County projects.

Mr. Nemetz has been a member of the Nebraska State Hospital Council and Nebraska Jail Standards Board. Dewey has also been a member of the Blair Planning Commission.

At the time this news item went to press the Pallbearers for the Monday morning funeral had not been named.

Another obituary:

Services For Dewey Nemetz Were Monday

Funeral services for 72 year old Dewey Nemetz were held on Monday morning, April 7th, at the St. Francis Borgia Catholic Church. He died April 1 at the Methodist Hospital in Omaha.

Survivors include his wife Priscilla, Blair; son James of Hastings; son John of Rosamond, California; and daughter Kathleen Nemetz of Omaha.

There are four grandchildren, a brother Fred of Redding, California; brother Don of Cornwall, Prince Edward, Canada and a sister Mrs. Max (Lucille) Bain of Blair.

Pallbearers were: Ralph Steyer, Jr, A Porter, Jim Taylor, Richard Schroeder, Tony Hale and Jon Sedlacek.

Honorary Pallbearers were: Jim Exon, Frank Morrison, Dan Lynch, Dr. C.D. Howard, Lloyd Kilmer, Henry Bergschneider, Lee Luxa, Stan Jensen, Ray Kastanel, Joe Viek, Hank Greene, James Pounds, James Clemon and Roy Brown.

An obituary about Mr. Nemetz appeared in the April 3rd issue of the Enterprise.

~~~ Obituary courtesy of the Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Blair Public Library at Blair, Nebraska.~~~

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