Selma Diehm

Former Hastings resident, Selma Josephine Diehm, 102, of Blue Hill Care Center, Blue Hill, Nebraska, died Saturday, July 14, 2001 at Blue Hill Care Center.

A memorial service will be held in Hastings, Nebraska at a date to be announced. Interment will be in the Sterling Cemetery, in Johnson County, Nebraska.

Selma Josephine Diehm, daughter of Ferdinand and Anna (Flegler) Diehm, was born April 21, 1899 on her parents' farm south of Adams, Gage County, Nebraska. Her parents emigrated from Germany in the early 1880's. For several years they lived with friends in the Hopewell Community, Johnson County, Nebraska. In 1891, they bought a farm in nearby Gage County. Selma and her siblings were all born on this farm. In 1905, the family moved to a farm in Johnson County near the town of Crab Orchard. In 1918, her father gave up farming and the family moved to a house in Sterling, Nebraska. Selma graduated from Sterling High School, Sterling, Nebraska and obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree from Peru State College, Peru, Nebraska. She continued her education at the National College of Education in Evanston, Illinois, the University of Colorado at Boulder and at Colorado State College in Greeley, Colorado. Selma's teaching career began in her hometown of Sterling. Later, she taught at Bayard, Nebraska, Plattsmouth, Nebraska and for 23 years at Longfellow Elementary School, Hastings, Nebraska. She was a member of the Hastings Retired Teachers Association, the National Education Association and a life member of the Nebraska Educational Association. In 1945, her sister, Julia moved to Hastings and they have lived together ever since. After retirement, Selma and Julia continued to make their home in Hastings. In early childhood, Selma united with the Methodist Church, of which she remained a loyal and devout member. Since moving to Hastings, she has been a member of the First United Methodist Church. Selma was also a member of the YWCA in Hastings.

Selma was preceded in death by her parents, a sister, Mrs. Robert Hillman and two brothers, Gus & Paul.

Survivors include,

Memorial maybe given to First United Methodist Church or Hastings Retired Teachers Association

Butler-Volland Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.