Edsel J. Wibbels

Edsel died Thursday, March 25, 2010 at the Golden Living Center in Columbus.

Edsel J. Wibbels was born June 21, 1919, in Wolbach, Nebraska to Algie and Lollie (Anderson) Wibbels. He graduated from Wolbach High School in 1937. He graduated the University Of Nebraska in 1942, and received a Masters Degree from there in 1949. He taught and coached at Fairbury High School until he was drafted. He served in the Army Air Corps for 3 years during WWII as a physical training instructor and physical therapist.

Edsel married Nella "Dee" Carlin in May 30, 1942. She died in 1969. He taught and coached at Wheeler Central High School in Bartlett from 1946-1948. The family moved to Columbus and he served in various teaching, coaching and administration positions in the Columbus City Schools for 38 years. He married Catherine (Hauser) Hadley June 29, 1974.

As a high school senior, Edsel set the U.S. record in the discus, 1937, using the college size discus. When the lighter discus was started in high school, his record still stood. It was retired from the World Almanac and Book of Facts in 1966. In high school, college, and in the military he competed in AAU meets for them. He played baseball for the Columbus Pioneer League for many years, and ran the Columbus Invitational Track meet. Edsel did not participate in the Olympics since they were canceled in 1940 and 1944 because of WWII, the years he would have tried to compete.

Edsel was selected as one of the 50 Greatest Sports Figures from Nebraska from 1900 to 2000 for Nebraska by Sports Illustrated magazine. He was inducted into the Nebraska High School Hal of Fame in Sports in 1996. The Wibbels family was inducted in 2006.

Edsel was a member of St. Bonaventure Church, Hartman Post #84 American Legion for over 60 years, and lifetime member of NSEA, NEA, and the University of Nebraska "N" Club. Because he lettered every year and graduated from UNL, he was given a lifetime pass for football.

He is survived by:

Wife: Catherine Wibbels of Columbus, NE
Son: Kevin (Linda) Wibbels of Lincoln, NE
Son: Dr. Thane (Kathy) Wibbels of Birmingham, AL
Daughter: Shannon (Terry) McDaniel of Austin, TX
Daughter: Colleen (Bob) Botsios of Omaha, NE
Step-daughter: Kathy (Richard) Austin of Columbus, NE
Step-son: William (Denise) Hadley of Littleton, CO
Step-son: Col. Steven (Leslie) Hadley, M.D. of Niceville, FL
Sister: Florence (Stuart) Teter of Wolbach, NE
Brother: Melvin (Beverly) Wibbels of Boise, ID
Sister-in-law: Betty Wibbels of Grand Island, NE
Sister-in-law: Veda Wibbels of Grand Island, NE
Grandchildren: John (Nicole) McDaniel, Meredith (Patrick Chang) McDaniel, Dr. Shelby (Jason) Byler, Caitlin Botsios
Step-Grandchildren: Bill G. Hadley, Allison Hadley, Michael Hadley
Great Grandchildren: Morgan & Thane McDaniel, Berkley Byler, Oliver Chang

He was preceded in death by:

Parents: Algie and Lollie (Anderson) Wibbels
1st Wife: Nella Dee Wibbels
Brothers: Leonard and Ray Wibbels

In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to St. Bonaventure Church or to the Wolbach Public Library towards the schools computer equipment grant.