Melvin J. Wiese, 72

Melvin J. Wiese, 72, died Saturday, Jan. 13, 2007, at his home in Blair, surrounded by his loving wife, Cathleen, and family.

Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 16, at Country Bible Church in Blair, with Interment in the Tekamah Cemetery.

Melvin John Wiese was born April 26, 1934, in Gretna, to Louie E. and Caroline (Haug) Wiese. He graduated from Bennington Public Schools in 1952. On June 3, 1956, he married Cathleen Elizabeth Crom at First Baptist Church in Tekamah.

The couple started their lives together in Tekamah, and enjoyed various homes and communities before settling on their acreage south of Blair in 1976.

During that time, Mr. Wise pursued his talent of working with and selling various industrial equipment and machinery. He greatly loved his final occupation as parts manager for Woodhouse Ford in Blair.

With the onset of his battle with congestive heart failure, his faithful walk with God gave him a resilient nature to continue to provide for his family, his church, his community’s growth, and to become a self-taught woodworker who created amazing heirlooms for his family and others to enjoy. He also had a passion for family genealogy and, as an animal lover, he never let a stray leave without a meal and a warm home. He was a pioneer and constant inspiration in the advancement of medical knowledge by volunteering in various research programs that assisted other congestive heart failure patients.

He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Cathleen; three sons and daughters-in-law, Rodney and Joan Wiese of Fremont, Shawn and Linda Wiese of Blair, Luke and Phyllis Wiese of Omaha; two daughters and a son-in-law, Elizabeth Wiese-Jochem and husband, Matthew, of Lincoln, and Caroline Wiese-Millburn of Blair; six grandchildren; six step-grandchildren; two great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by infant brother, Robert Wiese; infant son, Garth David Wiese; his parents; and his brother, Harold Wiese of Bellevue.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial gifts to the Blair Fire and Rescue Department.

Omaha World Herald 15 Jan 2007

WIESE---Melvin J. age 72, of Blair, NE

Survived by his wife of 50 years, Cathleen; 3 sons; and 2 daughters. Rodney Wiese and his wife Joan, Fremont, Shawn Wiese, and wife Linda, Blair, Luke Wiese and wife Phyllis, Omaha. Elizabeth Wiese-Jochem and husband Matthew, Lincoln, Caroline Wiese-Millburg, Blair; 6 grandchildren; 6 step-grandchildren; 2 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday, January 16, at Country Bible Church, Blair, NE, with interment in the Tekamah Cemetery. Visitation beginning at 1 p.m. with the family receiving friends from 6-8 p.m. Monday, January 15, 2007 at Campbell-Aman Funeral Home in Blair.

The family requests in lieu of flowers please make memorial gifts to the Blair Fire and Rescue Department.

CAMPBELL-AMAN FUNERAL HOME Blair, NE 402-426-2191