Paul Frederick Gottlieb Tegtmeier, 97, of Burchard, Nebraska, departed this life on Thursday, March 2, 2017. 

He was born January 22, 1920, to Louis and Nellie (Sommerhalder) Tegtmeier at their farm north east of Burchard.  He attended Pawnee County rural school district 46 and graduated from Pawnee High School with the class of 1937.  After spending his first year after graduation working at home on the farm, he migrated to the West Coast, working on a farm south of Portland.  His next move was to Knightsen, California getting in on late fruit and nut harvest.  Moving into Oakland, his living quarters were across the street from Merritt Business College and Trade School where he availed himself of their classes. This led to stenography work at Cudahy Packing Plant.  With war looming, he went to night school, learning cutting and welding.  He spent two years in the shipyards and another 2 1/2 years at Treasure Island Naval Base.  In 1949 he returned to Nebraska and purchased the Blacksmith and Repair Shop in Burchard.  

On October 7, 1951, he married Esther Preston at Salem Church, where he has been a faithful life time member, serving on the Church council and Cemetery Board and member of the Men’s Choir They continued to live in Burchard where he served on the Village Board and Volunteer Fire Department for many years.

Paul was very fond of music, playing in his high school band and in a dance band for three years in the 1930’s.  He insisted on piano lessons for all three children, sometimes meeting a little resistance from the boys.  He was a charter member of the Homesteader Harmonizers.

He was devoted to his family and was a generous and loving husband, father, and grandfather. He enjoyed good health until the last few months, which he spent at Premier Estates in Pawnee City.

Paul was preceded in death by his parents, Louis and Nellie Tegtmeier, brother, Eldon Tegtmeier and wife Thrasilla, brothers-in-law, Wilbur and Ronald Preston, Harlan Findlay.

He is survived by his wife of 65 years Esther, son James, and wife, Michele Tegtmeier; daughter Anne Bebermeyer, and husband, Rylan; son Mark, and wife, Lynette Tegtmeier, grandchildren, Wyatt, and wife Kacey Tegtmeier, Emma and Ellyn Bebermeyer, Amanda (Zach) Shelton, Erica (Dan) Roth and Kyle Gottula and fiance’ Mary and her son Tucker, great grandchildren, Jacob Tegtmeier, Isaac Newton, Elliott and Norah Roth, sisters-in-law, Alice Findlay and Harriet Preston, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Service 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, March 7, 2017 at Salem U.C.C. Church, Steinauer, Nebraska. Reverend Eric Biehl officiating.  Visitation on Monday, March 6, 2017  from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. with family greeting friends from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Wherry Mortuary, 919 G Street, Pawnee City, Nebraska. Interment at the Salem U.C.C. Cemetery.  Memorials to Salem U.C.C. Church, Steinauer, Nebraska.  On line condolence may be left at www.wherrymortuary.com