Derald M. Crom, 76, of Herman, died Saturday, March 8, 2003, at Memorial Community Hospital in Blair.

Funeral services are 2 p.m. Tuesday, March 11, at the Herman Community Church, with the Rev. Dan Hovanec officiating. Interment will be in the Tekamah Cemetery.

Derald M. Crom was born June 24, 1926, in Tekamah, the eighth of nine children born to Fred Alman and Edna (Tedder) Crom.

His summers were spent with his siblings, living in a small trailer, as their father worked on the roads.

He attended school at the Kindred School, east of Herman. His sister-in-law, Ruby, taught him how to spell his name. While he was in school, his teacher with two “Darrells” in the classroom taught him to spell his name “Derald” to make it less confusing for her, Derald later became his legal name.

He spent his early years staying with his sister and brothers and their families, working as a hired hand.

On March 21, 1947, he married Shirley Lauersen at the First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Oakland. Mr. Crom then worked as a farmer.

Dec. 23, 1983, was a devastating time in their lives. While Mrs. Crom was at work on the evening shift at the Tekamah Nursing Home, Mr. Crom woke up from his easy chair when the power went off. Upon reaching the kitchen, he discovered flames coming from the chimney. He was able to call the neighbors for help, who then called the fire department. Mr. Crom was able to flee the house and save a few items. The family stayed with friends until they could move into the home they purchased in Herman.

Mr. Crom retired from farming in 1985, then worked for the Omaha Public Power District at the Fort Calhoun Nuclear Power Plant, and also as a maintenance man for the Village of Herman. He was a member of the Herman Community Church.

He is survived by his wife, Shirley, of Herman; daughter and son-in-law, Susan J. Allen and Jack Burbridge of Missouri Valley, Iowa; two grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; a brother, Dick Crom of Omaha; sister, Patricia Grieves, also of Omaha; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Kate Crom of Omaha, Howard Golden of Tekamah, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Yost of Coleridge, Mr. and Mrs. Donald Tucker of Omaha, Marilyn Stonum of Newport, Ky., and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; three daughters, Geraldine, Sandra, and Carol Crom; two sisters, Molly Sklenar and Helen Golden; and four brothers, Harold, Floyd, Bob and Donald.

Memorials are suggested to the Herman Community Church Building Fund, or the Herman Rescue Squad.

Hamel-Peck-Pelan Funeral Home in Tekamah was in charge of arrangements.

Crom, Derald M. 3/8/2003 Funeral Leaflet

Derald M. Crom was born June 24, 1926 in rural Tekamah to Fred & Edna (Tedder) Crom. Derald passed away on Saturday, March 8, 2003, at the Memorial Community Hospital I Blair, at the age of 76 years.

Darrell was the eighth of nine children. Summers were spent living in a small trailer, traveling around the country as Grandpa Crom worked on the roads.

Darrell attended school at the Kindred School east of Herman. Aunt Ruby, Bob’s wife, taught Darrell to spell his name. However, while going to school, his teacher—to make it less confusing for her with having another Darrell in school—taught Darrell to spell his name Derald, which later became his legal name.

Derald spent his years staying with sister and brothers and their families while working as a hired hand.

On March 21, 1947, Derald and Shirely Lauersen were united in marriage at the First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Oakland. Derald was a farmer. December 23, 1983, was a devastating time in their lives. While Shirley was at work at the Tekamah Nursing Home on the evening shift, Derald woke from his easy chair when the power went off. Upon reaching the kitchen, he could see flames coming from the chimney. He was able to call the neighbors for help, who then called the fire department. Derald was able to flee the house and save a few items. They stayed with friends until they could move into the home they purchased in Herman. Derald retired from farming in 1985. He worked for OPPD at the Nuclear Power Plant near Fort Calhoun and was a maintenance man for the Village of Herman. Derald was a member of Herman Community Church. He enjoyed horseback riding.

Survivors include his wife, Shirley of Herman; daughter, Susan J. Allen & husband, Jack Burbridge, of Missouri Valley, IA; two grandchildren, Frank W. Allen of Missouri Valley, Shelley Stoddard & husband, Charles, of Yankton, SD; two great-grandchildren, Benjamin & Sarah Stoddard; brother, Dick Crom of Omaha, NE; sister, Patricia Grieves of Omaha; brothers-in-law & sisters-in-law, Kate Crom of Omaha, Howard Golden of Tekamah, Mr. & Mrs. Robert Yost of Coleridge, NE, Mr. & Mrs. Donald Tucker of Omaha, Marilyn Stonum of Newport, KY; nieces & nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; daughters, Geraldine, Sandra and Carol Crom; sisters, Molly Sklenar, Helen Golden; brothers, Harold, Floyd, Bob and Donald Crom.

In Memory of Derald M. Crom

76 years, 8 months, 14 days

Born June 24, 1926 Rural Tekamah, Nebraska; Entered Into Rest March 8, 2003, Blair, Nebraska

Prayer Service Monday, March 10, 2003, 7:00 p.m. Hamel-Peck-Pelan Funeral Home, Tekamah, Nebraska

Funeral Service Tuesday, March 11, 2003, 2:00 pm, Herman Community Church, Herman, Nebraska, Rev. Dan Hovanec, Officiating. Special Music “Amazing Grace” Lois Wachter, Soloist; “Take My Hand Precious Lord” Eugene Chritiansen & Dick Barnard, Duet; Gracie Husk, Organist

Casket Bearers: Geary Crom, Fred Crom, Donny Grieves, Steve Laire, Todd Maurer, Jon Tucker

Interment: Tekamah Cemetery, Tekamah, Nebraska

Hamel-Peck-Pelan Funeral Home

~~~Obituary and Funeral leaflet courtesy of Washington County, Nebraska Genealogical Association; newspaper clippings on file at the Public Library, Blair, Nebraska

FindaGrave # 7429708