(Photo)

Loretta Fay Heller, 54

Loretta Fay Cruse, 54, of Bellevue, died March 27, 2015, at Hospice House in Omaha after a short battle with rapid-moving, consuming cancers.

A funeral service was held at 10 a.m. Thursday, April 2, at Bellevue Christian Center with Pastor Mario Hatcher officiating. Pallbearers were Roy Reuman, Scott Reuman, Chase McGee, Chad Raasch, Mark Cruse and Rick Albanez. Interment was at Bellevue Cemetery.

Loretta was born June 5, 1960, in Bakersfield, Calif., to Edward and Alice (Kuhr) Cruse. She moved back to Nebraska with her parents in 1960, and grew up in the Wisner, Omaha and Bellevue areas.

Loretta was baptized in June 1970 at First Christian Church in Norfolk. Loretta married Dan Heller in 1980. To this union were born two sons, Dustin and Christopher. In 1983, after a divorce, Loretta and her sons moved to Bellevue.

Loretta was employed as a data analyst at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Nebraska for more than 30 years. In 1998, she received her bachelor’s degree with honors from Bellevue University. Adding to her busy schedule, she also volunteered for the soup kitchens and mentored students.

Loretta loved ballroom dancing and won trophies at various competitions, coming in second place at the finals of a Florida ballroom dance competition.

Above all, she loved spending time with her five grandchildren: Brenna, Tatum, Drayke, Levi and Henry. She will be greatly missed by them and everyone else.

Arrangements were made by Heafey Hoffmann Dworak Cutler Mortuaries Bellevue Memorial Chapel.

Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society.

Omaha World Herald 31 March 2015

Heller, Loretta F. Jun 5, 1960 - Mar 27, 2015 Bellevue, NE. Survived by sons, Dustin (Renee) Heller, Chris (Nicole Bjork) Heller;parents, Ed and Alice Cruse; sister, Pamela (Leland) Wemhoff; 5 grandchildren, Brenna, Tatum, Levi, Drayke and Henry; special friend, Bob Harris. VISITATION 5-7pm Wednesday, April 1 at Bellevue Memorial Chapel. FUNERAL SERVICE 10am Thursday, April 2 at Bellevue Christian Center, 1400 Harvell Dr. Interment Bellevue Cemetery. Memorials American Cancer Society. BELLEVUE MEMORIAL CHAPEL Heafey-Hoffmann-Dworak-Cutler 2202 Hancock St, Bellevue 402-291-5000 bellevuefuneralchapel.com

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

FindaGrave # 144399139