Ward Fitzke

Ward Alton Fitzke was born January 14, 1922, to Herbert and Anna (Harms) Fitzke at Glenvil, Nebraska. He was baptized and confirmed at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Glenvil. He graduated from Glenvil High School and started farming west of Fairfield.

Ward married Lucille Philippi on September 7, 1947, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Bruning. They worked together farming and built a farmstead along Hwy 74. In 1980, they built a home in Glenvil. They moved to Good Samarian Village in Hastings in 2012.

Ward was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church and served as Chairman and Treasurer and on other committees. In the fall of 2012 when he moved to Good Samaritan Village, he joined Peace Lutheran Church in Hastings. He sang with the Chorus of the Plains for 29 years and also served on the Clay County Extension and Ground Water Boards, School Board, and Glenvil Cemetery Board. Ward enjoyed music, woodworking, traveling and working with his son and grandsons on the farm.

He is survived by his wife, children, Sandra (Alan) Rosenboom, Elwyn (Linda) Fitzke, and Janet Fitzke, 4 grandsons: Jay (Heidi) Rosenboom, Brent (Laura) Fitzke, Kent (Angela) Rosenboom, Tyler (Amber) Fitzke; and 13 great grandchildren.

Ward was preceded in death by his parents, sister, Alene and husband Herman Valentine, brother-in-law Harvey Penning, brother-in-law Cliff and wife Norine Philippi, brother-in-law Don and wife Frances Philippi, nephew Richard Philippi, step father Leon Herman, step sister Erma Block and husband Elwin and step brother O’Dale Herman

The funeral celebrating Ward’s life will be held at Peace Lutheran Church at 906 W California Ave., Hastings, NE at 11:00 am Saturday, July 28th.  After lunch, interment will be at the Glenvil Cemetery.  There will be a visitation Friday 1 to 8 with the family present from 6 to 8 pm at the funeral home. Memorials may be given to Peace Lutheran Church of Hastings, Immanuel Lutheran Church of Glenvil or Crossroads Mission of Hastings.