Loretta Anna Alma (Heitmann) Schardt

Obituary

Loretta Anna Alma (Heitmann) Schardt, the oldest of five children, was born to Louis and Meta (Bohling) Heitmann on October 7, 1923 in rural Hardy, Nebraska.

                Loretta filled her home with love for her family, and her love for the outdoors was evident in her flowers and gardening. Her love of God was seen in her humble and strong faith.

                She departed this life at her rural Byron home on June 19, 2020, at the age of 96 years, 8 months, and 12 days. Loretta was baptized October 21, 1923, at St. Peter Lutheran Church in rural Byron by Pastor Seybold. Her baptism verse was Mark 16:16. She was confirmed at the same church on April 10, 1938 by Pastor Hoefer. Her confirmation verse was Romans 5:1.

                On October 21, 1945, she was married to Egbert Schardt at St. Peter Lutheran Church in rural Byron by Pastor Hoefer. This union was blessed with 3 children, Lyle, Lynnis, and Ryan. Egbert and Loretta enjoyed 65 years of marriage and she continued to live on the family farm until her death.

                She was a life-long member of St. Peter Lutheran Church, participated in Bible study, taught Sunday school, member of Mary-Martha Circle, member and office holder of WELCA and sent birthday cards to nursing homes and assisted living facilities in Deshler and Hebron. Loretta was also a member of Byron Busy Bees Extension Club, and she loved to sew blankets for church projects. She was an avid cook and baker and loved sharing her goodies with her family. Loretta enjoyed bowling, traveling, round and square dancing, attending grandchildren’s activities.

                Loretta was preceded in death by her husband, Egbert; parents, Louis and Meta Heitmann; sister, Mildred Gerdes Bliefernich; brother, Willis Heitmann; brothers-in-law, Mervin Gerdes and Virgil Vinkenberg; and  sister-in-law, Verla Heitmann. Also brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Vernon and Loretta (Schardt) Kirchhoff, Wilma Schardt, Erwin Kniep and Verlyn Bohling.

                She will forever be remembered by two sons, Lyle (Lucille) Schardt and Ryan (Myra) Schardt; one daughter, Lynnis (Arlis) Eitzmann; seven grandchildren, Brendan (Michelle) Schardt, Shannon (Thad) Buster, Tiffany (Jake) Beam, Brett Eitzmann, Adam Eitzmann, Stacy (Cris) Hansen, and Justin (Linsey) Schardt; 14 great-grandchildren, Tyra, Trinity, Tierra and Tasia Schardt, Avery, Ainsley and Adilyn Buster, Jackson, Jaden, Jase and Janae Beam, Eli Eitzmann, Riley and Graham Schardt. Also survived by brother, Lavern Heitmann; sister, Marjorie Vinkenberg; sisters-in-law, Delores Heitmann, Florence (Schardt) Kniep and Gladys (Schardt) Bohling; brother-in-law, Bernie Bliefernich, as well as many nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.

                Funeral Services will be held Wednesday, June 24 at St. Peter Lutheran Cemetery in rural Byron, NE at 10:30 a.m. Public Viewing will take place Tuesday evening from 4-8 p.m. at Price Funeral Home in Hebron, NE. Price-Urbauer-Ahrendts Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.