Obituary

Lt. Col. Theodore (Ted) Wolfram III

June 20, 1921 - October 31, 2021

On October 31, 2021, Lt. Col. Theodore (Ted) Wolfram III went to be with Jesus.  Over 100 years of his life was spent serving his Savior, Jesus Christ; his church, the Lutheran Church, Mo. Synod; and in the military service, Army and Air Force, of his country the United States of America.

Ted was born on June 20, 1921, in a small town near Charter Oak, Iowa, called Rickets.  He was raised and graduated from high school in Ventura Iowa.  He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Education Degree from Concordia Teachers College, Seward Nebraska.

He enlisted in the Army December 31, 1941 and retired from the Air Force October 31, 1968.   He graduated from a military flight school and received his pilot wings in July 1943.  He was awarded 2 Distinguished Flying Crosses, an Air Medal and The Air Force Commendation Medal among other citations.  He served his country in WWII, the Korean war, and the Vietnam war.

He taught school for six years after his military career, one year at Mt. Olive Lutheran School in San Antonio and 5 years in St. Anthony Catholic School in Columbus.

Ted held membership in The Lutheran Church, Mo. Synod, Peace Lutheran Church in Waverly, Men’s Club, Lutheran Laymen League, Lions Club, Senior Citizens Club, American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars, Firebird Association, HUMP Pilots Association and some others.

Ted was preceded in death just 15 days earlier by his wife of 75 years, Barbara (Moon) Wolfram.  He is survived by his three children Roslyn Timm and husband Walter of Oregon, WI, Deborah Einem and husband Gary of Georgetown, TX and Ted Wolfram IV and wife Carlene of Lincoln, NE.  He is survived by his brother Bill Wolfram and wife Carmen of Seward, NE.  He is survived by 8 grandchildren Elizabeth and Mark Kiessling of Valley Park, MO, Joshua and Kelli Timm of Oregon, WI, Jacob Timm of Oregon, WI, Rebecca and Jamie Wagner of Boynton Beach, FL, Katherine and Alexander Lemke of Medina, OH, Andrew and Jenna Einem of Austin, TX, Carly and Jerry Dittenber of Waverly, NE, Kim and Daniel Masters of Lincoln, NE.  He is also survived by 18 great grandchildren Cecilia, Joseph, Adaleigh, Eathyn and Zachary Wagner, Chase Dittenber, Meredith. Roman, Reggie, Rozlyn and Meeker Masters, Madelyn and John Lemke, Rachael Hunter, Jayden Johnson, and Kaleb Timm.

A Christian Burial will be at the Omaha National Cemetery with the appropriate military honors.  In lieu of flowers, make donations to Peace Lutheran Church, 9831 N 145th Street, Waverly, NE  68462.

Share a Memory or Condolence

February 21, 2024

Mr. Wolfram was my 6th grade teacher at St.Anthony’s Catholic School in Columbus. He was a wonderful instructor and I think of him often! I remember he lived just down the road in LaGrange, Tx. He often told stories about his family. I never will forget that as jokes went in their family he said that over time the jokes would be just referred to with a number like “27” because they had been recycled and told so many times. I always thought that was funny. He also would say “Practice, practice, practice!” when you wanted to perfect something… He was a good man and way under appreciated by me and my classmates back then. Thank you Mr. Wolfram!! You are missed.

– Travis Herchek

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