Richard N. Plager, son of Fred and Lena (Koehler) Plager was born on March 17, 1929 in Table Rock, NE. He was the oldest of three children born to this union. Richard was baptized by Reverend E.F. Geyer on April 14, 1929 and confirmed by Reverend H. Bents on October 25, 1942 at St. James (Long Branch) Church, rural Humboldt, NE. After attending Bush school, he worked on the family farm raising livestock and farming the land. When he wasn’t farming, he enjoyed playing fast pitch softball with the Long Branch young men’s team. Ball games were often against neighboring churches and played in the horse pasture by Richard’s home. The youth of the church also enjoyed going roller skating.
Richard married Vera A. Bohling on June 1, 1950 at St. Paul Lutheran (Hickory Grove) Church. Their marriage was blessed with two children, Gene and Susan. The couple made their home less than a mile from the family farm in rural Pawnee County where they raised their children. In 1980, Rich and Vera built and moved into a new home on an acreage near St. James Lutheran Church. Vera tended to their acreage for many years until her passing in 2020. Rich and Vera were married for nearly 70 years.
In the early 1950’s, Richard worked as a carpenter for Lavern Cooper building homes and businesses in Humboldt, NE. He also farmed with his father in those early years and later continued his farming career with his brother Harlan, son Gene, and most recently, his nephew Greg, all beloved to Richard. He had a passion for farming his entire life and fondly recalled stories of improving his farm land over time and raising cattle and hogs. It wasn’t uncommon to find a baby pig or new calf in the house to “warm up” when it was cold outside. Richard sold Pioneer seed corn for over 30 years and was always ready to share his farming knowledge and experiences with others. In his later years, he dearly loved drives to his fields to check on the crops or watch the harvest.
Rich and Vera were avid travelers and enjoyed many adventures together throughout their marriage. Some of their more memorable travels included trips to the World’s Fair in Montreal, Canada (Expo ’67), cruising through the Panama Canal and Hawaii. Later, the couple traveled to Europe where a highlight was visiting the old country of Germany. They were also well known for their love of dancing. Many milestone wedding anniversaries were celebrated with a big band orchestra which always included Glenn Miller’s “A String of Pearls” and “Moonlight Serenade”.
Richard was a lifelong member of St. James Lutheran Church where he was active in Luther League, served on the Church Council several times, and was part of numerous church committees. He was a strong Christian who loved the Lord. A favorite Bible verse was John 3:16: For God so loved the world that He gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.
Richard was a loving son, husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and uncle whose love for his family will always be cherished. In December 2022, after a fall, Richard moved to Colonial Acres Nursing Home in Humboldt, NE where he passed into eternal life on June 17, 2026, having reached the age of 97 years and 3 months He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Vera, son Gene, daughter-in-law Pam, great granddaughter Kayla Stevens, brother Harlan Plager, and brothers-in-law Eldon Bartels, Vern Bohling, Evert Boeck, Mervin Geyer, and sisters-in law Carol Bohling, Berniece Boeck, Wilma Geyer and Marlene Alberts.
Richard is survived by his daughter and son-in-law Susan and Bryan Klanecky of Lincoln; grandchildren Lesley Slaymaker of Kearney; Lisa and husband John Stevens of Kearney; Joel Kerner of Lincoln; Russell and wife Tiffany Plager of Wayne and Adam Klanecky and fiance’ Lindsay Esparrago of Austin, TX, great-grandchildren, Brooklyn and Evan Slaymaker; Tyler Stevens; Thomas, Nolan, Jenna and Reid Plager sister Lois Ann Bartels; sister-in-law Carla Plager; brother-in-law Eiber Alberts; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
May the Lord bless you and keep you until we meet again.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, June 24, 2026 at the St. James Lutheran (Long Branch) Church, rural Humboldt, Nebraska with Rev. Eric Spruth-Janssen officiating. A family prayer service and flower card reading will be held at 9:30 a.m. in the church sanctuary.
Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., with family greeting friends from 5-7 p.m., Tuesday, June 23, 2026 at the Wherry Mortuary in Tecumseh, Nebraska.
Memorials may go to the family’s choice for later designation.
Interment will be in the St. James Lutheran (Long Branch) Cemetery, rural Humboldt, Nebraska. A luncheon will follow in the new Community Building in Elk Creek.
Online condolences may be left @ www.wherrymortuary.com.
