Funeral services for 92-year old Loretta Brickner of Chadron, NE, are Monday, April 3, 2023 at 10:00 at Zion Lutheran Church in Hay Springs, NE, with Pastor Alan Wierschke officiating.
Burial will be at the Hay Springs Cemetery in Hay Springs. A
Visitation will be Sunday evening, April 2, at 6:00 at Zion Lutheran Church in Hay Springs.Â
A memorial has been established for the Zion Lutheran Church in Hay Springs or the Chadron Rural Fire Dept. Donations may be sent to Chamberlain-Drabbels Mortuary, PO Box 443, Hay Springs, NE 69347
Online condolences can be made at www.chamberlainchapel.comÂ
Loretta Brickner was born on Nov 19, 1930, in St Louis, MO, and passed away on March 30, 2023 at Pioneer Manor in Hay Springs.
Loretta grew up in Michigan and graduated from Alma High School in Alma. She played steel guitar in a band with her sister Norma at dances and other engagements. She continued playing in bands with husband Wayne in Nebraska after her marriage.
She met her husband Wayne while he was on a three-day pass with his Army buddy who was engaged to her sister Norma. Loretta and Wayne were married in Ithica, MI, May 10, 1953. Together they had three children and operated the Brickner Family Ranch in Nebraska near Chadron.
As a homemaker and rancher’s wife, Loretta helped work the ranch and made a home for the family. She canned fruits and vegetables every summer from her garden, made clothing for all her family, and created award winning quilts.
She liked watching baseball while quilting; the Detroit Tigers were her favorite team. She was a 4-H leader and volunteered 15 years with the AmeriCorps Seniors Organization, delivering meals on wheels and other activities. She was also an active member of Zion Lutheran Church and volunteered with the Ladies Aid for many years.
Loretta is survived by her children, Evelyn and husband John, Steve and wife Gail, and Justin and wife Sue, grandchildren Alicia and husband Seth Letterly, Joshua and wife Chelsea Brickner, Hadley Brickner and Annie Brickner, great-grandchildren Makenna and Jaxon Letterly, and Grace and Eleanor Brickner, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Loretta was preceded in death by her husband Wayne, parents Ethel and Henry Wiltse, and 13 brothers and sisters.
Chamberlain-Drabbels Mortuary of Hay Springs is in charge of arrangements for Loretta Brickner.