George Henry William Warnsholz, 89, Lincoln, went to be with the Lord after a long illness of Parkinson’s Disease on Monday (08/10/09). Born on his parent’s farm 1 1/2 miles west of Garland, Neb. on February 10, 1920. He was baptized shortly after and confirmed March 25, 1934 in the Zion Lutheran Church in Garland, Neb., by Rev. Tobias Joeckel. He attended Zion Lutheran School for eight years and Garland High School four years.
In 1941, he was drafted into the U.S. Army, where he proudly served with the 3rd Armored Division. He was sworn in on November 6, 1941, at Fort Crook, Neb. (now Offutt Air Force Base). From there to Leavenworth, Kan., until after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Helped form the 3rd Armored Division at Camp Polk, La. (now Fort Polk). Then sent for more training in the Mojave Desert, Calif. Followed by Camp Pickett, Va., and Indiantown Gap, Pa. Lastly Camp Kilmer, New Jersey, and off in a convoy of assorted ships for England from September 15, 1943. On June 24, 1944, the 3rd Armored “Spearhead” Division landed on Omaha Beach, France. During his term overseas, he received 5 battle stars, one for the Belguim Bulge. Was discharged October 20, 1945 at Fort Leavenworth, Kan. Married Leona Maria Ahrens, on November 15, 1945, at St John’s Lutheran Church, Seward, Neb. Their marriage was blessed with two children, Merle and Janelle. George and Leona renewed their wedding vows on their golden wedding anniversary. They were married 63 years, 8 months, 26 days.
His longest employment was with Mid-West Lumber for 30 years. He drove a semi-truck, delivering lumber and beams all over the mid-western states. George was a volunteer member and fire chief in 1948 of the Malcolm Fire Department. While Fire Chief, George attended Civil Defense Training in Washington D.C. George has always been active in his church and patriotic organizations. He served as user and treasurer at St Paul’s Lutheran Church in Malcolm; as elder, usher, member of the evangelism committee, and deliver service tapes to shut ins at Redeemer Lutheran Church; former board member for Lincoln Lutheran Junior High School; and life member of the 3rd Armored Association, lifetime member of the American Legion with recognition of 60 years continuous service, currently member of Garland Legion Post 369, and V.F.W. 3606, Lincoln, Neb.
He is survived by his wife, Leona, Lincoln; son and daughter-in-law, Reverend Merle and Lois Warnsholz, Davenport, Iowa; daughter, Janelle Schmale, Lincoln; grandchildren, Lori and Jeff Whalen, Utica, Ill.; Jill and Matt Schmitzer, Davenport, Iowa; Gary Schmale, stationed at Bangor WA Naval Base; and Jody Schmale, Lincoln; great-granddaughters, Allison and Samantha Whalen, Utica, Ill.; and Hannah and Hallie Schmitzer, Davenport, Iowa; sister and brother-in-law, Olinda and Marvin Shulz; sister-in-law and spouse, Geraldine and Byron Brigham, Doris Ahrens, all of Seward; brother-in-law and spouse, Merlin and Bert Ahrens of Palm Coast, Florida; step-sister-in-law Verneda Weishahn, Western; aunt Ula Stevens, Chadron; many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, Richard and Julia (Sundermann) Warnsholz; brother Walter Warnsholz; brothers and sister-in-laws Werner and Beata Warnsholz, Paul and Alma Warnsholz; sisters and brother-in-law Lydia & Fred Mussman and Emma & Fritz Ketthenburg.
Funeral Service: 10 a.m. Saturday (8/15/09) Redeemer Lutheran Church, 510 South 33rd with Pastor Mark Ebert officiating. Burial in Wyuka Cemetery.
Memorials in lieu of flowers to Lincoln Lutheran Middle-High School, Redeemer Lutheran Church, American Parkinsons Disease Association or Tabitha Foundation.
Visitation: 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday with family greeting friends from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Roper and Sons, 4300 “O” Street and one hour prior to service time at the Church.