MARTIN DUNKLAU, 96

(picture) (veteran)

Arlington native Martin Dunklau, 96, of Omaha, died Sunday, July 20, 2008, at Brighton Gardens of Omaha.

Funeral services were 1 p.m. Thursday, July 24, at Pacific Hills Lutheran Church, in Omaha. A military graveside service was conducted by members of the V.F.W. Post No. 2503 of Benson. Interment was at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Omaha.

Martin Dunklau was born Sept. 4, 1911 at rural Arlington to Louis and Amelia (Gnuse) Dunklau. He attended St. Paul’s Lutheran School and Bisby School. He graduated from Arlington High School and attended Midland Lutheran College in Fremont. He graduated in 1935 from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln with a bachelor’s degree. He taught at high schools in Newport, Wymore, Superior and Kearney.

He entered the U.S. Army on Feb. 3, 1941, and served in North Africa and Italy during WWII. He was discharged on Jan. 13, 1946, with the rank of Major. He then served 20 years in the Army Reserve, retiring with the rank of Colonel.

He received his master’s degree from the Univeristy of Nebraska in 1948. He worked for the Veterans Administration in Lincoln for two years. He served as superintendent of schools at North Loup from 1949 to 1954 and at Gibbon until 1959. He moved to Omaha and was an assistant superintendent of finance for School District No. 66, until retiring in 1977.

On June 9, 1940, he married Virginia McDowell at Hardy. She died Sept. 2, 2005.

He was a member of Pacific Hills Lutheran Church at Omaha; member of Lions International; American Legion Post No. 1 of Omaha and V.F.W. Post 2503 of Benson; member and past president of Heartland of America Chapter of Military Officers Association of America; and member of Beta Sigma Psi fraternity at the University of Nebraska.

He is survived by his sons and daughters-in-law, M. William “Bill” and Brenda Dunklau of Dallas, Texas; Alan Dunklau of Omaha and Douglas and Janet Dunklau of Olathe, Kan.; daughter and son-in-law, Patricia and Neil Clark of Bloomfield, Conn.; seven grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; brother and sister-in-law, Rupert and Ruth Dunklau of Fremont; sister, Ada Seidler of Omaha; and sister-in-law, Esther Dunklau of Clinton Township, Mich.

In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his brothers, Ewald and Harold Dunklau; and a sister, Ruth Harrie.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Lions Eye Bank of Nebraska; the Over 60 Center at Arlington; and the Pacific Hills Lutheran Church Piano Fund.

Moser Memorial Chapel was in charge of arrangements.

from Arlington Citzen

Martin Dunklau, 96, of Omaha, formerly of Arlington, died Sunday, July 20, 2008, at Brighton Gardens of Omaha.

He was born Sept. 4, 1911, in rural Arlington to Louis & Amelia (Gnuse) Dunklau. He attended St. Paul Lutheran School and Bisby School. He graduated from Arlington High School and attended Midland Lutheran College in Fremont. He graduated in 1935 from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a bachelor’s degree. He taught at high schools in Newport, Wymore, Superior and Kearney. He entered the U.S. Army on Feb.3, 1941, and served in North Africa and Italy during World War II. He was discharged on Jan. 13, 1946 with the rank of major. He then served 20 years in the Army Reserve, retiring with the rank of colonel. Martin received his master’s degree from the University of Nebraska in 1948. He worked for the Veterans Administration in Lincoln for two years. He served as superintendent of schools at North Loup from 1949-54 and at Gibbon until 1959. He moved to Omaha and was an assistant principal of finance for School District 66 until retiring in 1977.

Martin married Virginia McDowell on June 9, 1940, at Hardy. She died Sept. 2, 2005.

He was a member of Pacific Hills Lutheran Church at Omaha, Lions International, American Legion Post 1 of Omaha and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2503 of Benson. He was a member and past president of Heartland of America Chapter of Military Officers Association of America and a member of beta Sigma Psi Fraternity at the University of Nebraska.

He was the loving father of sons, M. William “Bill” (and wife Brenda) Dunklau of Dallas, Alan Dunklau of Omaha and Douglas and wife, Janet) Dunklau of Olathe, Kan.; daughter Patricia (and husband Neil) Clark of Bloomfield, Conn.; grandfather of seven and great-grandfather of nine. Also surviving is a brother, Rupert (and wife, Ruth) Dunklau of Fremont; sister, Ada Seidler of Omaha; and sister-in-law, Esther Dunklau of Clinton Township, Mich.

He was preceded in death by his parents and wife; brothers, Ewald and Harold Dunklau; and sister, Ruth Harrie.

The funeral will be 1 p.m. Thursday at Pacific Hills Lutheran Church, 90th and Pacific streets, in Omaha with the Rev. William Moorhead officiating. Visitation with family receiving friends will be from 408 p.m. Wednesday at Heafey’s West Center Chapel, 78th and Center, in Omaha. The casket will be closed at the church.

The military graveside service will be conducted by members of the VFW Post 2503 of Benson. Burial will be in Forest Lawn Cemetery in Omaha.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Lions Eye Bank of Nebraska, the Over 60 Center at Arlington and Pacific Hills Lutheran Church Piano Fund.

Moser Memorial Chapel in Fremont is in charge of arrangements.

~~~Obituaries courtesy of Washington County Genealogical Association; newspaper clippings on file at the Public Library, Blair, Nebraska ~~~