Vernal "Bob" Ohlrich

Vernal (Bob) Robert Ohlrich, 95, of Deshler, Nebraska passed away Sunday, June 4, 2017 at the Blue Valley Nursing Home in Hebron, Nebraska. He was born on May 17, 1922 on a farm just west of Deshler. His parents were Albert and Elizabeth (Peterson) Ohlrich. Vernal was baptized on June 24, 1922 by Pastor H.F. Eggert and confirmed on May 23, 1937 by Pastor William Cholker, St. Peter Lutheran Church, Deshler. He attended St. Peter Lutheran Elementary School, then Deshler public schools graduating from Deshler High School with the Class of 1942. Bob met Phyllis Beryl Koch in high school, they were married on September 13, 1942. Their union was blessed with four children, Michael, Daniel, Annette, Roger, and an infant stillborn. Bob has seven grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren. Bob served in the United States Army during WWII in the Pacific theater with the 11 ^th Airborne Division as a paratrooper. His active duty was in New Guinea, Philippine Islands, Okinawa and finally Tokyo, Japan to assist in disarming the general public. He was honorably discharged in 1945. Bob was familiar with hard work growing up in the depression of the 1930s. He worked delivering ice and for the Deshler Broom Factory for a short time. His career involved the plumbing-heating-air conditioning trades starting with Superior-Deshler Propane Co. for 25 years and was self-employed starting "Bob’s Plumbing & Heating" business in Deshler for approximately 12 years. He was also employed at Reinke Mfg. Co. for a time. Bob was a lifetime member of the Deshler American Legion Post. No. 352 serving as Commander for six years. He was also a member of the Deshler Volunteer Fire Dept. for many years, and he and Phyllis were members of St. Peter Lutheran Church. His hobbies were fishing, hunting and camping. He enjoyed family vacations and times with his grandchildren. Vernal "Bob" Ohlrich is survived by his son Michael and wife Marlene of Gretna, Nebraska and their children Kurt and wife Brenda, Omaha, NE and Kimberly and husband Bill Esbenshade, Denver, CO. Kurt has three children, Kate, Jordan and Jack, and Kimberly has two children, Charlie and Harry. Son Daniel of Lincoln, Nebraska and his children Andrea and husband Joe Remmenga, Waverly, NE and Nathan and wife Angie, Omaha, NE. Andrea has two children, Levi & Sandy, and Nathan has three children, Luka, Jude and Calla. His daughter Annette Ohlrich of Deshler, Nebraska. Son Roger and wife Sandi of Lincoln, Nebraska and their children Kip and wife Laura Steuben, Milligan, NE, Chani Klimm, Ashland, NE, and Brian and wife Monica, Lincoln, NE. Kip has three children, Blake, Bailey and Brock. Chani has three children, Noah, Nathaniel and Faith, and Brian has two children, Maisie and Caleb. Bob was preceded in death by his parents; a stillborn daughter; wife Phyllis; full sisters Alberta and Idona; full brother Harold; half-sister Josephine; and half-brothers Leonard, Edgar and Melvin. He is also survived by his full brother Larry Ohlrich of Simi Valley, California. Vernal will always be remembered for his dedication to his wife Phyllis, family, friends, and community.