Memorial services for 90-year old Edgemont native Loretta Wohlman of Hartington, NE, are Wed, Jan. 4, at 10:30 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Hartington. Richard Bloomquist will officiate.Â
Burial will be in the Hartington City Cemetery.
Visitation is Tues, Jan 3, from 5-7:00 pm at Wintz Funeral Home in Hartington and again an hour prior to services on Wed.
Online condolences may be left at wintzrayfuneralhome.com
Loretta Mary was born on Feb. 19, 1932, in Edgemont, S.D., to Nels and Etta (Benton) Ballard. She died Tues, Dec. 27, 2022, at the Arbor Care Center in Hartington.
Loretta grew up in Wyoming and moved to Maskell when she was in 8th grade. She graduated from Obert High School in Obert, the received her teaching degree from Wayne State College.
Loretta also earned a master’s degree from Chadron State College. She taught at numerous country schools before joining the elementary school in Newcastle and then the Hartington Public School for many years.
Loretta married Merle Everette Wohlman on May 22, 1954, in Obert. She always wondered how such a handsome man could fall in love with a skinny freckled redhead and take her for his spouse. They went on to have 4 children: Sue, Guy, Gary, and Grant.
Merle and Loretta worked in the summers from 1987 to 1996 as trail guides for High Country Stables in Estes Park, CO, even after moving into Hartington in 1990. Loretta retired at the age of 62, then kept busy as a substitute teacher for another 3 to 4 years.
Loretta was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church and the Hartington VFW Auxiliary club. She loved crocheting, knitting, painting, gardening, and making exhibits for the Cedar County Fair.
Loretta is survived by her four children: Susan (Vernon) Heese of Hartington, Guy Wohlman of St Helena, Gary (Julie) Wohlman of Blair, Grant (Carol) Wohlman of Norfolk; 11 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; a sister Christine Klanderud of Wynot; four nieces; one nephew; and many students who crossed her path during her lifetime.
Loretta was preceded in death by her parents Nels and Etta Ballard; spouse Merle on July 18, 2004, at the age of 73 years; brothers Nels and Jens Ballard; an infant granddaughter and an infant great-grandson.
Pallbearers will be her grandchildren: Toni Hamilton, Tyler Peitz, Jennifer Togneri, Lisa Thoene, Ryan Wohlman, Chris Whitwer, Taylor Wohlman and Jesse Wohlman.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Wintz Funeral Home in Hartington.