George Wiedman -- 2005

       Lifelong Burlington resident, George Martin Wiedman passed away Saturday, Aug. 20, 2005 at Grace Manor Care Center in Burlington. George was 94 years old.  George was born to Jacob and Barbara (Stahlecker) Wiedmann on Dec. 10, 1910 in the family home near Yale. George's father, Jacob, died on March 11, 1911 when George was just 3 months old. (Note the dropping of one "N" off of George's last name, writing two "N's" was just unnecessary, so George just decided to drop one.)
      Barbara was remarried to Gottlieb Adolf Sr. on March 25, 1914. "Dad" Adolf was the only father George ever knew, and treated him as his own son.  George had two brothers; Gottlieb Jr., and Herman, and two sisters, Leah, and Ella, who died at 1 1/2 years old. George attended school through the 8th grade at Yale. In his youth he loved the game of baseball, he carried his love through his life. George also enjoyed his music, especially playing the trumpet.  George was baptized and confirmed in the Immanuel Lutheran Church, north of Bethune. Later he and his family became members of First St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Burlington.
       George married Leona Gertrude Fanselau on Sept. 2, 1934, at Imrnanuel Lutheran Church. In February, 1935, George and Leona moved to Newberg, Ore. In Oregon, George worked in the orchards, sawmills, berry patches and hay fields for 25 cents an hour. While in Oregon, two sons were born, Darrell and Garvin. George, Leona and family returned back to their home in Eastern Colorado in February 1939.  George enjoyed his occupation of farming, especially wheat harvest and roasting ears. During the drought years of the 1950s, George spent a lot of time building homes, churches, and schools across the High Plains.  George and Leona remained on their farm until 1961, at which time they built and moved into their home in Burlington. George enjoyed his hobbies of woodworking , fishing, gardening and fixing windmills. George also took a great deal of pleasure in his community and served it well by serving on numerous boards and committees. George lived in his home until December 2004, at which time he moved to The Legacy. In mid January George's failing health required a move to Grace Manor Care Center, he lived there until the time of his death.
      Preceding George in death were his loving wife, Leona, his parents and his brothers and sisters. Surviving George are his two sons; Darrell Wiedman of Denver and Garvin Wiedman and wife Sherry of Arriba. George is survived by his four granddaughters; Kim Mehalko and husband Mark, Vanessa Worden and husband Doug, Alison Wiedman and Valerie May and husband Steve. Ten great-grandchildren, Laura and David Mehalko, Heather Wiedman, Canaan and Skylar Forslund, A.J. and Brett Worden, and Adam, Phillip and Samantha May. Irene Adolf, Mildred Stahlecker and Geneva Wohlgemuth, sisters-in-law, and a host of family and friends are also left to survive George.  Memorial contributions may be made in George's name to First St. Paul's Lutheran Church or to the local hospice and may be left at The Bank of Burlington.  Funeral services for George were held on Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2005 at 10:30 a.m. at the First St. Paul's Lutheran Church with Pastor Jeff Hanson officiating. Burial followed in Fairview Cemetery in Burlington.  Visitation was held on Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2005 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Love Funeral Home in Burlington.