Dean Edward Bogle was born the seventh of eight children of Julius and Ila Bogle on May 22,1940 in Mound City, MO. The family relocated to Auburn, NE when Dean was young. He attended Auburn Public Schools, graduating with the class of 1958. Dean was a hard worker all his life starting full-time employment at age 13, working at Midway Grocery store after school and on weekends.

Following high school graduation, Dean attended barber school in Omaha. He began his barbering career in Falls City, NE, eventually owning his own barber shop on Stone Street, in the Falls City business district.

In June 1961, Dean married Sharon Norvell, and they enjoyed 63 years of marriage. Their married life started in Falls City, where their daughter, Dena, and son, Delyn were born and raised.

A life-long entrepreneur, Dean sold his barber shop and opened the Sears & Roebuck store where you could pick up your Sears catalog orders and buy Kenmore appliances. Always a car guy, his trusty appliance delivery van was fondly named Gentle Ben. While owning the Sears store, Dean began selling Allstate insurance, a Sears company, along with other lines as an independent agent.

After he sold the Sears store, he continued as an independent insurance agent until he was recruited to work at Falls City Meat Company, also known as Mickleberry Meats. Dean worked in a variety of roles in bookkeeping, eventually serving as General Manager. After leaving Falls City Meat Company, Dean was hired as General Manager of Woodings Verona Tool Works, a Budd Company, which made striking tools such as sledgehammers and axes. He helped establish and operate the Woodings plant in the south industrial park in Falls City.

Family was always first. Dean was preceded in death by his parents, Julius and Ila Bogle; his in-laws, LaVerne and Helen Norvell, and all seven of his siblings, brothers, Wilbur, Robert, Harley, Loyd; sisters, Ilaline Critser, Idaline Wrightsman, and Donna Stricklett; in-laws, Dorothy Bogle, Shirley Bogle, CaroLee Bogle, Alan Wrightsman, Justin Critser, and Lorren Stricklett; three nephews, Michael Bogle, Mark Sharp, and Robert “Lee” Bogle; one niece, Kathy Wrightsman Barron.

Left to treasure his memory are his wife, Sharon Bogle, Humboldt, NE; daughter, Dena Bogle Stevenson (friend, Jim), Auburn, NE; son and daughter-in-law, Delyn (Betsy) Bogle, Cameron, MO; grandchildren Corbin (Andrea) Bogle, Morton, IL; Taylor Bogle, Des Moines, IA; Darby (Logan) Eggers, Huntington Beach, CA; Ivy Bogle (fiancé, Nat), Storm Lake, IA; Paxton Bogle, Cameron, MO; great granddaughters Nelta & Nora Bogle, Morton, IL; Bonus Grandkids; Shelley Stevenson Ball (Brad), Omaha, NE; and Ryne Stevenson (fiancé, Jessica), Prospect Park, PA; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.

A funeral service was held Friday, September 6, 2024, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Auburn, officiated by Rev. Jackie Gfeller. Taylor Bogle was soloist and Edith Schlange played accompaniment. Serving as casket bearers were Randy Bogle, Rick Bogle, Paul Bogle, Jim Joe Bogle, Wendell Bogle, and Frank Critser. Honorary bearers were Kevin Burnison, Jerry Brannen, Duaine Stalder, and Dick Ogle. Burial followed in Sheridan West Cemetery at Auburn.

Services were entrusted to Hemmingsen Funeral Home of Auburn.

VERA J. RIEKEN 1936 - 2024

Vera June (Piper) Rieken, one of 5 children of Fred and Velma (Ruhl) Piper, was born December 2, 1936, on the family farm northwest of Johnson, Nebraska.

Vera was baptized at the Brock Methodist Church. She was very active in the church while growing up, attending Sunday School, singing in the choir, and later teaching Sunday School and Bible School. It was there she discovered her love for teaching. She attended Brock Consolidated School for 13 years, receiving her high school diploma on May 12, 1955. She graduated as Valedictorian of her class. Vera attended Peru State College where she earned her bachelor’s degree in elementary education.

Vera was united in marriage to Henry Rieken of Johnson, Nebraska at the Brock Methodist Church on July 31, 1956. After their marriage they lived in Germany, where Hank was stationed, and moved back to the Johnson area after his service to his country. They would be blessed with two children, Cheryl and Craig.

She taught at District 42 in Johnson County for 20+ years. She was a member of St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Johnson, where she served as Sunday School Superintendent and taught Sunday School and Bible School. In 1979 Vera was named “Outstanding Woman of the Year” by the Johnson Area Mrs. JayCees.

Surrounded by her family, Vera passed away Wednesday, September 4, 2024, at the age of 87 years, 9 months, and 2 days in Auburn, Nebraska.

She is preceded in death by her husband Henry, daughter Cheryl (Wayne) Gerdes, parents Fred and Velma, brothers Marion (Margaret) and Kenneth Piper, brother-in-law Darrell Gerdes, father- and mother-in-law Rieke and Tina Rieken, brothers- and sistersin- law Adolph Rieken, Geiko (Dora) Rieken, Harvey Hahn, Leroy (Janet) Fletchall, Don (Alice) Harms, Ann Wagner, Larry Lotter, John Rieken, Marvin Green, Ray Thomsen, Harley (Frances) Goings.

Vera is survived by her son Craig (Gina) Rieken; grandchildren Trisha (Joel) Kelsay, Tonya (Chris) Kramer, Brian (Natalie) Gerdes, Shari (Craig) Aue, Ashley Caspers, Amber Thompson (Casey), Cody Kite, Dawn (Travis) Blex; 11 great grandchildren; sister Doris Gerdes; brother Jack (Linda) Piper; sisters-in-law Peg Thomsen, Tena Green, Lena Lotter, Irene Rieken, Irene Piper; many other relatives and friends.

A funeral service was Saturday, September 7, 2024, at St. Matthew Lutheran Church om Johnson. Revs. Kate Woolf and William Shaner officiated. Loretta Kerchal was the organist for prelude, congregational hymns, and postlude. Casket bearers were Dave Piper, Dale Piper, Gary Piper, Mike Gerdes, Jim Gerdes, Ken Rieken, and Bryan Bohling. Grandchildren Trisha Kelsay, Tonya Kramer, Brian Gerdes, Shari Aue, Ashley Caspers, Amber Thompson, Cody Kite, and Dawn Blex were honorary bearers. Burial was in the Johnson Cemetery.

Services were entrusted to Hemmingsen Funeral Home.