Ellen Oppliger

Ellen Ruby (Coffin) Oppliger, of Osceola, formerly of Columbus, died Thursday, March 14, 2013 at the Osceola Good Samaritan Center.

Ellen was born June 28, 1922, in rural Polk County NE, to Charles W and Ida E (Porter) Coffin. She attended rural schools in Polk and Platte counties. On April 8, 1942, she was united in marriage to Harry E. Oppliger, son of Ernest and J. Louise (Winkelman) Oppliger, in Schuyler, NE. They made their home in rural Polk County, Columbus. Harry was a farmer and cattle feeder. Ellen moved from the farm to Columbus in 1988. Ellen was a gifted artist, genealogist, historian and world traveler. She was an avid Nebraska Husker football fan and a collector of many things. She loved going to auctions, antique shops, garage sales, and goodwill stores. She belonged to numerous organizations, including Lone Star Extension Club, Eagles Club, American Legion Auxiliary, Daughters of the American Revolution and Daughters of the Union Veterans. She attended St. Luke's United Church of Christ regularly and enjoyed all church activities, including Rachel Circle and Fall Market. Ellen was blessed with three children, eleven grandchildren, twenty-six great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.

She is survived by her daughter, Joyce (Vernon) Kuhnel, Osceola, grandson, Jeff (Lynn) Kuhnel and great-grandchildren Hunter and McKenna, Columbus, grandson Kraig (Carolyn) Kuhnel and great grandchildren Colton and Kenedy, Osceola, Kris (Cassie Milks) Melbourne, FL,and Jordyn Kuhnel, Lincoln, granddaughter Krista (Steve) Beiermann and great-grandchildren Zack, Zane, and Addison, Columbus; daughter, Gloria (Gary) Neujahr, Gresham, grandson, Gregory Neujahr, Seward, and great-grandson Jordan, Henderson, grandson Kevin (Sarah) Neujahr and great-grandchildren Raya Neujahr, Derek, Jessica and Rebecca Bohoty, Lincoln and Brianna (Joshua) Rico and great-great grandson Elijah Rico,Maxwell,granddaughter, Keli (Todd) Martin, and great-grandchildren, Harrison, Reid, and Molli , Lincoln, grandson Nicholas (Liz Smith) Lincoln and granddaughter Brandi (Brandon) Kosek, Winona, MN; son, Roger (Becky) Oppliger, Omaha, grandson, Chad Oppliger, Columbus, grandson Dustin (Tonya) Oppliger, and great-grandchildren Kaitlyn, Lindsay, and Landen, Blair and granddaughter, Erica (Jeff) Young, and great grandchildren, Brittany and Dylan Korth, Blaine, Dalton, Braylee, Albion.

Ellen was preceded in death by her husband, Harry Oppliger in 1982, parents, Charles and Ida Coffin, brothers Pearl, Clarence, Harry, Ralph and Roy Coffin and sister, Mabel Lawthers.