Verle F. Straatmann

Verle Straatmann, 87 Kearney resident Verle Francis Straatmann, 87, of Kearney passed away, Sunday July 15, 2018, at Nebraska Medicine in Omaha. A memorial service will be 10:30 AM, Saturday at O’Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral Home in Kearney. The Rev. John Gosswein will officiate. Military rites at the funeral home will be conducted by the Marine Corps Honor Guard in cooperation with the VFW Post 759 and the American Legion post 52 of Kearney. A private interment will be held at a later date. Memorials are suggested to the family for future designation. Online condolences may be shared at osrfh.com O’Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral Home in Kearney is in charge of arrangements. Born in Wilcox, NE on July 21, 1930 to Fokko and Antje (Garrelts) Straatmann, he was the youngest of 7 siblings. He spent his early life on a farm near Hildreth and in 1937 moved to Kearney and attended Zion Lutheran School, Kearney Junior High and a 1948 graduate of Kearney High School. In 1952 he obtained his bachelor’s degree from Kearney State Teachers College, majoring in chemistry and physics with a minor in music. In 1952 he was drafted into the Marine Corps and stationed in Korea as a radar specialist. There he entertained the troops with a radio program that played throughout the mess and officers halls. Verle excelled while in the military, obtaining a rifle accuracy record that still stands today, and was awarded numerous medals including the Korean Service Medal with 2 Service Stars, the United Nations Service Medal, and the National Defense Service Medal. In 1954 he began his award-winning teaching career in Hildreth, Nebraska, and married the love of his life, Janet “Janie” Johnson on July 29, 1956 in Hildreth. They then moved to Holdrege, at which time he obtained his master’s degree in public administration. His years at Holdrege were very successful. The HHS marching band competed biannually with bands from both the U.S. and abroad, always achieving first place. During the off years, Verle adjudicated many marching, symphonic and solo competitions. For this he was awarded numerous recognitions from Governors and U.S. Senators as well as Presidents. His most prized awards were being inducted as an admiral into the Nebraska Navy, and obtaining the Gary Thomas Distinguished Alumni Award. He always gave the credit of any of his success to his students, all of whom he dearly loved. In 1976, Verle and his wife purchased the Bahr-Schaal music store in Kearney Nebraska. Throughout his life he played with various professional groups including the Tommy Morgan Band, The Herb Foreman Group, The 4 Keys and the Wes and Verle Duo. He enjoyed fishing, anything to do with technology, building his own electronics, tuning pianos, spending time with his family, traveling, and a good cigar. He did not enjoy golf- but won The Great Duffer award anyway. His past memberships include the Kearney Elk’s Club, the Kearney Rotary, the American Legion and the VFW, and many others. He was also active in the Nebraska State Teachers Association. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Janet Marfaye Straatmann, his three daughters Julia Holden and her husband John, Cheryl Samples and her husband Ron, and Mardi Pallas and her husband Randy, as well as his grandchildren Jordan Sorenson and her husband Eric, Brianna Sears and her husband Jon, Seth, Chase, Trey, and Kyler Samples, Trevor and Skylar Holden, and his great grandchildren Nickelle and Grayson Sorenson as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, 3 brothers and 3 sisters. He will be so missed by his wife and family. A lunch reception in celebration of Verle’s life will be held after the morning service on what would have been his 88th birthday, at the American Legion in Kearney.

Verle F. Straatmann

July 21, 1930 - July 15, 2018