Dolores Wetgen

Dolores Wetgen, age 78, of Columbus died Thursday, May 11, 2006 at the Beverly Health Care in Columbus. Funeral services are 10:30 a.m. Monday, May 15, 2006 at St. Isidore Catholic Church in Columbus. The Rev. Joseph A. Miksch will officiate. Visitation is Sunday 4-8 p.m. at St. Isidore Catholic Church. There will be a vigil service Sunday evening at 7:00 p.m. also at the church. Visitation will continue Monday morning 9:30 a.m. until service time at the church. Burial will be in the St. Bonaventure Cemetery.

Dolores Wetgen was born November 24, 1927 in Columbus, Nebraska to John and Cecelia (Kresha) Smagacz. She graduated from St. Bonaventure High School in Columbus. After graduation she worked in the Car Department of Union Pacific Railroad in Columbus until WWII was over and the returning Veterans got their jobs back. From there she worked at Montomery Wards as invoice record clerk till her marriage. On October 11, 1950 Dolores was united in marriage to Richard E. Nyffeler. The couple moved to a farm near Duncan where she helped with some of the farming operations. After his death Dolores remained on the farm until she married Melvin Wetgen on November 3, 1988 in Duncan. The couple then moved to Columbus. Dolores was a charter member of St. Isidore Church and at one time was secretary of the Christian Mothers. She enjoyed working outside, especially mowing the lawn and picking up junk in the ditches around her home. She often was called the "Bag Lady" until she got ALS "Lou Gehrig's Disease".

She is survived by:

Husband Melvin Wetgen of Columbus, NE
Daughter-in-law Marcy Wetgen of Platte Center, NE
Sister Sr. Dolores (Janice) Smagacz of Columbus, NE
Sister-in-law Doris Nyffeler of Columbus, NE
Step-Grandson Kyle Wetgen of Omaha, NE
Step-Granddaughter Amanda Wetgen of Platte Center, NE
Step-Granddaugher April Wetgen of Lincoln, NE
Nephew Mark (Sharon) Nyffeler of Columbus, NE
Nephew Gene (Kaye) Nyffeler of Omaha, NE



She was preceded by:

Father John Smagacz
Mother Cecelia Smagacz
First Husband Richard E. Nyffeler
Step-Son Wayne Wetgen
Step-Granddaughter Kelly Wetgen
Infant Sister Sylvia Smagacz

Memorials may be directed to ALS, St. Isidore Church or donors choice.