Norbert Francis Guenther, age 84 of Crofton, Nebraska, died on Wednesday, July 31, 2019 at the Avera Sacred Heart Hospital in Yankton, South Dakota.

Mass of Christian Burial will be on Monday, August 5, 2019 at 10:00 AM at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Crofton, Nebraska with Rev. James Keiter officiating. Burial will be at the St. Rose of Lima Cemetery in Crofton with military rites by the Crofton American Legion Post #128 and the American Legion Riders. Visitation will be on Sunday, at church, from 2:00 – 5:00 pm with a vigil service at 3:30 pm.

Pallbearers will be Capp Bengston, Ted Bengston, Blake Guenther, Dale Guenther, Brett Boecker, and Mike Nelson, and Brian Paulsen.

Honorary pallbearers will be Kelsey Woolverton, Allie Guenther, Geoff Denton, Jourdan Beal, Brett Beal, Lauren Melena, Danny Melena, Kaylee St. Sauver, Justus St. Sauver, Jocelyn Guenther, Austin Vanderweide, Hannah Guenther, and Sami Guenther.

Norbert Francis Guenther was born on February 4, 1935 in Crofton NE to Casper and Anna (Hendricks) Guenther. He attended St. Rose Catholic School in Crofton. He served in the United States Army from 1954 – 1956. After being honorably discharged from the military, he returned to Crofton and farmed. He married Karen Paulsen on August 7, 1962 in Crofton, NE. They enjoyed 56 years together, raising a family and relishing the times they could be with family and friends. Norbert was a farmer from the time he was a boy and continued through his entire life. In addition to farming, he was the Knox County Weed Superintendent from 1985 – 2013. He also enjoyed his work with Stockmen’s Livestock Auction for several years.

Norbert’s favorite pastimes included playing (his version of) poker and rummy with family and good friends. He also enjoyed hunting, golfing, family camping trips and driving around the countryside. Norbert was loved by many for his quick wit and great story-telling. He was very proud of being a veteran, a member of the American Legion of Crofton and serving on the American Legion color guard for many years. Norbert was an active member of St. Rose of Lima parish and the parish council, Knights of Columbus, and American Legion Post #128.

Norbert will be missed by his wife, Karen, of Crofton; five children, Jane (Lou) Johnson of Nashville, TN, Steve (Jeani) Guenther of Papillion, NE, Lori (Rob) Bengston of Wausa, NE, Kelly (Carol) Guenther of Watertown, SD, and Randy (Amy) Guenther of Lincoln, NE; 11 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren; sister, Carol (Ken) Prebay of Bridgeport, MI; sisters-in-law, Hedwig Guenther of Reesville, WI, Marlene Boecker of Crofton, NE; brothers-in-law Darol (Phylis) Paulsen of Santa Ana, CA, Ralph (Sara) Paulsen of Yankton, SD, Jerry (Jill) Paulsen of Sioux Falls, SD, and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father, Casper and his mother, Anna; father and mother-in-law, Herman and Lucille Paulsen; six brothers Elmer (Margie), Art (Martina), Earl (Leora), Lawrence, Norman (Donna), infant brother Richard Guenther; four sisters Mildred (Herman) Schmid, Eileen (Danny) Crespo, Betty Lou (Dean) Helms, JoAnn (Dean) Nelson, brothers-in-law, Jim Paulsen and Bill Boecker, and grandson-in-law, Michael Woolverton.