Richard Woltman, age 92, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, at Brookestone Acres in Columbus, surrounded by family and friends.

Funeral service is 10:00 a.m. Saturday, June 13th, 2026, at Trinity Lutheran Church. The family will receive friends Saturday at 9 a.m. until time of service at the church. Burial will be Saturday at Elmwood Cemetery in St. Paul, Ne at 2:30 p.m.

Richard was born on December 17th, 1933, to Floyd and Agnes (Roschynialski) Woltman in Ravenna, Ne. He received his early education in Litchfield and Loup City and then received his GED in 1987 in Columbus, Ne. Richard was a hard-working man starting his journey while working on the family farm with his brother Ervin in their younger years. Later, Richard got the opportunity to work on the Interstate 80 construction and was even part of the Sherman County Reservoir Canal and Tunnel project. In the mid 1960’s he moved to Omaha and worked for Farmhand Industries as an assistant manager for 13 years.

While living in Omaha he met Judith Rensberger, they were married on April 11th, 1966. Richard was a loving man, and with a huge heart he chose to adopt Judy’s 2 daughters Pam and Tammy whom he loved like they were his own. To this union two daughters were born, Marcia and Debbie. Richard eventually moved back west where he started working in the parts department for several farm implement dealers in Grand Island, St. Paul, and Ord.

Richard married Mildred Lange on June 14th, 1979. To this union three children were added to the family. Joe, Jeanette and Judy. In their spare time they both enjoyed their love for dancing. In the late 1980’s the family moved to Columbus, where he continued working in the parts department for Red Country International until his retirement in 1996. Richard was a working man who would not slow down, he continued to work part time for Red Country, Bills Tire and eventually working for McKown Funeral Home of which he was most proud.

Richard was a kind man and had a heart of gold. He could strike up a conversation with anyone and always had a joke or story to tell that always ended with a grin and a chuckle. Richard eventually retired completely and moved into Brookestone Acres in Columbus. It wasn’t quite home, but he finally settled in and became the social butterfly of the 400 wing. The stories and jokes never stopped, and he made a point to greet everyone he encountered. Even though he may have pushed his call light a million times, he loved the nurses and staff very much at a place he called home, Brookestone Acres.

Richard had deep faith in the lord and loved to sing in the church choir and participate in numerous activities in his earlier years with the church. He had a soft heart and would often sit with patients who did not have anyone to comfort them. He was a Big Pals Little Pals Volunteer and also helped tutor individuals looking to get their GED. Richard was also a man with several hobbies including, going to the antique car, tractor and guns shows he also collected decks of cards from all over. He loved sitting around the table drinking coffee, playing games, and joking with his friends. His love for his kids and grandkids was never ending. He enjoyed taking the grandkids fishing and always had a special treat each time they met, those orange Tic Tacs.

Richard was preceded in death by his grandparents Frank and Valeria Woltman, parents Floyd and Agnes Woltman, wife Millie Woltman, Infant child from first marriage, grandson Brett Kearns and son in law Randall Thomas.

He leaves behind a loving family that will forever carry his memory in their hearts:

Brother Ervin (Dorothy) Woltman of Grand Island, Ne

Daughters Pam (Larry) Seamon of Millbrook, Al, Tammy Thomas of Marbury, Al, Marcia (Sean) Martys of Columbus Ne, Debbie Woltman of Fremont, Ne (significant other Corbin Kuncl of Columbus, Ne), Jeanette (Rod) Kimball of Oshkosh Wi, Judy (Max) Gintzler of Kearney, Ne.

Son Joe Janke of Nebraska

15 Grandchildren

16 Great-grandchildren

1 Great-great-grandchild

Several nieces and nephews

In Richards words, “Thank you for loving me….”

Memorials are suggested to the family or Trinity Lutheran Church in Columbus