OBITUARIES
MAY
20
2026
Lois A. Smith-Swanson • Ericson, NE Resident, 88
Lois A. Smith-Swanson, a cherished mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, passed away peacefully May 15, 2026 with her family by her side at the Community Memorial Health Center in Burwell, NE at the age of 88.
Born on July 16, 1937, on the family farm in Greeley County, NE, Lois was the daughter of Earl and Ruth (McCune) Morrow. She received her early education at a country school and graduated from Scotia High School in 1954.
On June 5, 1954, Lois was united in marriage to Donald Smith in Scotia, NE. Together, they were blessed with four children: Patricia, Daniel, Dennis and Edwin. Lois dedicated herself as a devoted homemaker and mother, nurturing her family on ranches throughout Central Nebraska.
In 1968, Lois and her family relocated to Ericson, NE where they opened the S&S Sundries Drug Store. Following its closure, she worked in various capacities, including roles at banks in Ericson and Burwell, shared the experience of driving an 18-wheeler truck across the country with her husband, Don and served at the Garfield County Offices. Additionally, Lois volunteered for the Blood Drive bus, showcasing her dedication to community service.
After the passing of Donald Smith, Lois found love again and remarried Gene Swanson on July 26, 2005.
Lois’s presence will be deeply missed by her loving family. She is survived by her daughter, Patricia Yost of Lincoln; three sons and daughters-in-law: Daniel and Cindy Smith of Lincoln, Dennis and Mary Margaret Smith of Bend, OR, and Edwin and Helen Smith of Lockhart, TX. Her legacy continues through her 10 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren, all of whom were a source of immense pride and joy for her.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Earl and Ruth Morrow; both husbands, Donald Smith and Gene Swanson; her life partner, David Hoerle; a brother, Victor Morrow; two grandsons, Michael DeLa Garza and Kenneth Cummings, Jr.; great-granddaughter, Dijah Ybarra; and son-in-law, Randy Yost.
A Christian Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11 a.m. on Fri., May 22, 2026 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Burwell. Pastor Tim Reicks will officiate. Interment will be in the Ord City Cemetery at Ord, NE. Visitation will be held on Friday at the Church from 10 a.m. to service time.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be made to the Friendship Home, which supports survivors of domestic violence: givetolincoln.com/nonprofits/friendship-home
Still Waters Funeral Parlor is assisting with the arrangement. Online condolences may be left at stillwatersfuneralparlor.com.
Wayne A. Winterfeld • Ord, NE Resident, 94
MAY
13
2026
Lorraine H. Walahoski • Former Ord, NE Resident, 88
Lorraine Helen Walahoski was born July 21, 1937 in rural Valley County, NE to Anton and Helen (Knebel) Welniak. She passed away on May 9, 2026 in Seward, NE at the age of 88 years, 9 months and 18 days.
Lorraine grew up on the family farm near Elyria, NE and attended elementary school in rural Valley County. Growing up as the only daughter with four brothers, she learned to be a great cook, but was also comfortable helping out with the farm chores. She enjoyed attending local dances where she met her husband, David (Dave). They were united in marriage on Feb. 8, 1955 at the St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Elyria. The couple celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary in 2025. Their marriage was blessed with three children, Becky, Dave and Christi, six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. After marriage, Dave and Lorraine, lived on a farm near Ord, NE for a short time before moving to Ord for several years. Lorraine was a stay-at-home mom to the couple’s three children and supported the family as they relocated to several towns in eastern Nebraska supporting Dave’s work career. The family settled in Newman Grove, NE in 1969 where she continued to raise and support her family. She did start work outside the home, including many years at the local City Café and the Hombre Steak House. She worked as a waitress and made many good friends among the Café’s regulars, employees and the out-of-town visitors who passed through the main street meeting place. In 1970, Lorraine found her career calling when a family friend asked her to be his back-up school bus driver for the Newman Grove Public Schools. She quickly became a regular route driver and went on to safely and lovingly transport thousands of kids to and from school for the next 45 years, before retiring from the bus in 2015. Lorraine was proud of the fact that she was able to transport multiple generations of families on her bus. The kids enjoyed the tasty popcorn balls and other homemade treats and maybe some occasional motherly discipline or advice from Mrs. Walahoski!
In addition to her bus kids Lorraine, was a loving mother and Gramma to her children and grandchildren. She enjoyed attending their activities, whether it was soccer, golf, baseball or other school activity. She spoiled the grandkids year around, but the annual Christmas gatherings with Gramma ‘Raine were her (and the kids) favorite. She always had a well-stocked candy drawer, homemade cookies and those famous popcorn balls. She seemed to have a direct line to the grandkids’ Santa list to know just the right toy, game, team jersey or collectible they were hoping for. Everyone looked forward to her delicious cooking, including homemade dumplings, kraut and polish sausage, kolaches, carrot cake and pretty much anything else she cooked up. She enjoyed decorating her home for all the holidays, adding new things every year. In addition to the annual Christmas gatherings, she loved to host family get-togethers and the extended family vacations to Breckenridge, Door County or points in between. She enjoyed reading books and newspapers, including solving the daily jumble word puzzle. She loved watching the Husker volleyball matches on TV. She enjoyed her bowling league team, including annual trips to the state tournament over the years.
Lorraine and Dave moved to Seward in 2021 to be closer to family. They resided at Kinship Pointe where they made many new friends. Lorraine moved to Ridgewood Care Center in 2023 following a heart attack and stroke. She enjoyed interacting with the nurses and aides who provided such great care and love to her, eventually earning the affectionate title of “The Don – Director of Nursing” from her caregivers.
Lorraine was preceded in death by her husband Dave in March 2025, by her parents and four brothers, Alfons, Floyd, Ted and Lawrence Welniak.
Survivors cherishing the memory of her lifelong love and support are: children and spouses, Becky (Ted) Tinker of Lincoln, Dave (Judy) Walahoski of Loudon, TN, Christi (Bob) ten Bensel of Seward, grandchildren and spouses, Matthew (Stacy) Soward, of Columbus, Levi (Karen) Soward of Lincoln, Jake Walahoski of Augusta GA, Jared (Rachel) Walahoski of Brunswick, GA, Drew ten Bensel of Seward, Cailin ten Bensel (Zach Johnson) of Kansas City, KS, step-grandchildren, Mike (Kathy) Tinker of Pierce, Bob Tinker of North Platte, Carrie (Dana) Moore of Battle Creek, great-grandchildren, Ethan (Elise Fjell), Brandon, Connor, Camden, Reese and step-great-grandchildren, Sarah and Abby.
Family will be receiving friends on Tues., May 19, 2026, from 4-6 p.m. at Zabka-Perdue Funeral Home in Seward. A Rosary will be prayed on Wed., May 20, 2026, at 10 a.m. with a Mass of Christian Burial following at 10:30 a.m. all at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Seward celebrated by Monsignor Robert Tucker. Graveside service and inurnment will be on Thur., May 21, 2026, at 11:30 a.m. at the Ord Cemetery in Ord. Memorial contributions may be made to the Walahoski Family for future designations. Arrangements entrusted to Zabka-Perdue Funeral Home, Seward. Condolences may be left at zabkaperduefuneralhome.com.
Wayne A. Winterfeld, of Ord, NE passed away peacefully on Wed., May 6, 2026 at the Community Memorial Health Center in Burwell, NE at the age of 94.
Born in Craig, IA, on March 12, 1932, to Alvin and Selina (Donlin) Winterfeld, Wayne spent his life dedicated to his family and his community. He grew to be an enthusiastic athlete at Le Mars High School, playing multiple sports, and played the trombone in his high school band.
In 1950, he married Millie Gronemeyer, and together they raised seven children in Craig, Elkhorn, NE and Ord. Wayne worked as a farmer before transitioning to working for KK Appliance in Nebraska.
Following Millie’s passing, Wayne married Jean Hartmann in 2005. They lived in Le Mars from 2006 to November of 2024 before returning to Ord.
After retiring, Wayne continued to serve his community as a member of the Rotary Club, President of the Ord City Council, and Mayor of Ord, Nebraska from 2002-2006. Always a proud American, Wayne, his brother Gene, and father painted their barn red with a grand “V” in celebration of the end of World War II.
He was also a man of faith in the Lord and steadfast dedication to his family. There was no sacrifice Wayne was unwilling to make for his family. They will remember ice cream with peaches, countless trips to the College World Series, fishing, camping, canoeing, golfing, popcorn after work, cheering for the Huskers, gardening, and watching his children, grandchildren, and 32 great-grandchildren thrive. He loved to tell a story and enjoyed lively conversations and sharing a laugh.
Wayne is survived by his wife Jean of Ord; his children, Michael (Dianne) of Kearney, Julie (David) Wolf of Lincoln, Patricia (Jim) Novotny of Comstock, Susan (Harry) Scheidt of Lincoln, Phillip (Shari) of Platteville, CO, Joel (Linda) of Litchfield and John (Debbie) of Valparaiso; and stepdaughter, Lori (Bob) Johnson of Sioux Falls, SD. He is also survived by grandchildren, Laurie (Bryce) Parker, Erin (Art) Becker, Leah (Steve) Heinauer, Ryan (Staci) Wolf, Jacob (Brianne) Wolf, Cheneile Norasaeng, Nicholas (Marcio) Scheidt, Tina Thompson, Jami (Adam) Woodward, Layne (Lacie) Winterfeld, Tarah (Luke) Ownby, Becky Winterfeld, John Winterfeld, Hillery (Codi) Terrill, Caree (Jason) Clemons and Shea Hartmann; and 32 great-grandchildren.
Wayne was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Millie; his brother, Eugene; a great-granddaughter, Bella Norasaeng and a step grandson, Brenton Johnson.
A good-hearted man, Wayne was beloved by his family and friends.
A Celebration of Life Service was held on May 11, 2026 at Bethany Evangelical Lutheran Church in Ord. Pastor Stephen Williams officiated. Inurnment was in the Ord City Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to Bethany Evangelical Church of Ord and the Ord Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department. Ord Memorial Chapel was assisting with the arrangement. Online condolences may be left at ordmemorialchapel.com.
237 South 15th St., Ord, NE 68862
Ph: 308-728-3261
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