Vernetta Fritz
Vernetta M. Fritz, 91, of Minden, formerly of Hildreth, passed away on Thursday, January 20, 2022 at Bethany Home in Minden. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, January 28, 2022 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Hildreth with the Rev. Caroline Keenan officiating. Interment will be held following the service at the Hildreth Cemetery. The service will be live-streamed to the church’s Facebook and YouTube pages. Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 27, 2022 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Hildreth. In lieu of flowers, memorials are kindly suggested to Trinity Lutheran Church in Hildreth, the Hildreth Volunteer Fire Department, or to the Hildreth Golden Years Center. Craig Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
Vernetta Mae Fritz was born July 31, 1930 to Gerhard and Lena (Albers) Quadhamer on a farm southwest of Hildreth, NE. She passed to her eternal home January 20, 2022 at the age of 91 yrs. 5 mo. 20 days. Vernetta was baptized at her home when she was 10 days old and confirmed in Emmanuel Lutheran Church south of Hildreth, NE. She attended Lakeview country school through the 8th grade, then Hildreth High School where she graduated in 1948.
After graduation, Vernetta moved to Kearney, NE and worked for the hospital as a nurse’s aide. This occupation always had a special place in her heart as she often expressed her desire to be a nurse. Instead, she met the love of her life and married Justine Thomas Frank Fritz on September 18, 1949 at Emmanuel Lutheran Church. To this union, six children were born: Jerome Gene, Naomi Lea, Calvin Lynn, Douglas Ray, Marianne Kay, and Colleen Joyce. Tragically, Justine passed away on January 3, 1961. Vernetta, with the help of her loving family, relatives and friends, raised her young family working various jobs in the Hildreth community. In May of 1968, she married Donald D. Halbert. Together they purchased the Farmers Union Store which became the Hildreth IGA where she worked for 16 yrs. Her sons Calvin & Douglas purchased the store in 1982. She divorced in 1984, and opened her home as a daycare provider. She cherished the children in her life and served many in the community with home baked goods and loving arms over 21 years. Her final job before retirement was at the Golden Years Center, cooking and baking for friends in the area.
Vernetta spent her life compassionately serving as a life- long member of St. Paul’s and Trinity Lutheran Churches, on various committees, and as a choir member. She served her community as a den mother, a Lioness Club member, a Christian Women’s Club member, and a Parents without Partners member.
In November 2017, Vernetta suffered a stroke, rehabilitated at Gardenside in Fairbury, and resided at Bethany Home until her passing. Through her faith in Christ, she was a joyful spirit and always had a smile to give.
Vernetta is survived by her sons, Jerome (Cindy) Fritz, Calvin (Linda) Fritz, Douglas (Tammy) Fritz all of Hildreth; her daughters, Naomi (Richard) Bennett of Fairbury NE, Marianne (Jim) Fritz-Halsted, and Colleen (Kevin) Benson both of Hildreth; grandchildren, Ashley (Evan) Lewandowski of Kearney NE, Lindsey (Brandon) Ehmen of Geneva NE, Justin (Kayla)Bennett, Lucas (Melissa) Bennett both of Fairbury NE, Allison (Jake) Loy of Snohomish WA, Amaryah (Skyler) Jenkins of Grand Island NE, Carina Fritz of Hildreth NE, Matthew (Michelle) Fritz of Alma NE, Jake Fritz of Hildreth NE, Stuart (Kayla) Fritz of Spring Hill TN, Veronica (Jewel) Eiley of Hildreth NE, Jay (Tammy) Halsted of Greeley CO, Shawn (Nickoel) Halsted of Hildreth NE, Adam Halsted of KS, Sheila Benson of Hildreth NE, and Nick (Shelby) Benson of Minden NE; 34 great-grandchildren; and 3 great-great-grandsons. Also, surviving brother, Roger (Carol) Quadhamer of San Pedro CA; sisters-in-law, Florence Quadhamer of Grand Island, NE, and Barbara Yost of Omaha, NE; along with numerous other relatives.
She was preceded in death by her grandparents, parents, husbands, grandchildren, Celeste Fritz and Joshua Benson, brother, Arnold Quadhamer, and brother-in-law, H.A. “Bill” Yost.
Tributes and memories can be shared with the family at www.craigfunerals.com.
