Our lives
January 21, 2023
Gerald (Jerry) was raised on a farm north of Beemer, NE. Gerald is the son of Martin and Elveria (Abendroth) Ludwig. Gerald was baptized and confirmed at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Beemer, NE. Gerald attended a rural one-room country grade school near Beemer, NE through the 8th grade. He graduated from Beemer Public High School in 1965.
Mardelle was raised in Beemer, NE. She is the daughter of Merlin and Marcella (Broekemeier) Krueger. Mardelle was baptized at St Paul’s Lutheran Church, Wisner, NE. Her parents moved to Beemer, NE where Mardelle attended Beemer Public School. Mardelle was confirmed at St John’s Lutheran Church, Beemer, NE. She graduated from Beemer Public High School in 1966.
Gerald and Mardelle started dating in High School when Gerald was a senior and Mardelle was a junior. After high school Gerald attended Norfolk Junior College in Norfolk, NE for 1½ years then joined the Navy during the Vietnam War. Mardelle attended Nebraska Methodist College of Nursing where she graduated with a Diploma in Nursing in 1969.
Gerald and Mardelle were married at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Beemer, NE on September 7, 1969. They moved to San Pedro, CA and lived there while Gerald was serving in the Navy. Gerald was a gunner’s mate (GMG3) stationed in Long Beach, CA. He served on the USS Tolovana AO-64, a refueling ship. Gerald had three duty tours of nine months each overseas on his ship. Gerald was in the Navy from 1967 – 1971.
After discharge from the Navy, Jerry and Mardelle moved to Lyons, NE where Jerry was employed by Harel Inc on a farm. Jerry also raised cattle and sheep. He was a 4-H leader for over 10 years and helped with the FFA students at the Lyons High School. Jerry was also very active in many veteran organizations. Jerry served as Post Commander of the Lyons VFW Post 7998 beginning in 1983. He served in many capacities at the VFW District and State level, including Nebraska VFW State Commander in 2002-2003. He was also very active in American Legion and AmVets. Jerry was the project leader for organizing the constructions of a memorial for veterans in Lyons.
Jerry’s volunteer work has been acknowledged by receiving several awards including the Aksarben Good Neighbor Citation in 1990, Outstanding 4-H Leader in 1996, Honorary Chapter FFA Degree, VFW All- American Department Commander in 2002, and Admiral of The Great Navy of the State of Nebraska signed by Governor Mike Johanns in 2003.
Jerry was a farmer for 36 years and retired from farming at age 60 when the farming operation changed. He continued to help farmer friends with harvest.
Mardelle was a registered nurse and worked 15 years at the Oakland Memorial Hospital in Oakland, NE. She returned to college to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing from the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, NE and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from the University of Nebraska at Omaha, NE. Mardelle held various middle management nursing positions in Omaha. Mardelle retired in 2014.
Jerry and Mardelle had two children, Eric Ryan, born April 10, 1972 and Jill Renee, born December 17, 1974. Eric and his wife Laurie (Laura Speers) have two children, Henry Ryan born August 12, 2006 and Samuel Ryan born January 19, 2009. Jill and her husband Aaron Anderson have three children, Edie Grace born June 1, 2002, Owen Justin born March 2, 2005, and Emma Renee born January 29, 2008.
Jerry and Mardelle loved to travel. They travelled to all 7 continents and all 50 States. Mardelle also has been on three mission trips with the church. She went to Nigeria, China and Haiti. Jerry and Mardelle both went on a mission trip to Vietnam.
Both shared hobbies including landscape work in their yard, golf, and entertaining family and friends.
Gerald and Mardelle retired in Omaha/Bennington, NE.
Mardelle was raised in Beemer, NE. She is the daughter of Merlin and Marcella (Broekemeier) Krueger. Mardelle was baptized at St Paul’s Lutheran Church, Wisner, NE. Her parents moved to Beemer, NE where Mardelle attended Beemer Public School. Mardelle was confirmed at St John’s Lutheran Church, Beemer, NE. She graduated from Beemer Public High School in 1966.
Gerald and Mardelle started dating in High School when Gerald was a senior and Mardelle was a junior. After high school Gerald attended Norfolk Junior College in Norfolk, NE for 1½ years then joined the Navy during the Vietnam War. Mardelle attended Nebraska Methodist College of Nursing where she graduated with a Diploma in Nursing in 1969.
Gerald and Mardelle were married at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Beemer, NE on September 7, 1969. They moved to San Pedro, CA and lived there while Gerald was serving in the Navy. Gerald was a gunner’s mate (GMG3) stationed in Long Beach, CA. He served on the USS Tolovana AO-64, a refueling ship. Gerald had three duty tours of nine months each overseas on his ship. Gerald was in the Navy from 1967 – 1971.
After discharge from the Navy, Jerry and Mardelle moved to Lyons, NE where Jerry was employed by Harel Inc on a farm. Jerry also raised cattle and sheep. He was a 4-H leader for over 10 years and helped with the FFA students at the Lyons High School. Jerry was also very active in many veteran organizations. Jerry served as Post Commander of the Lyons VFW Post 7998 beginning in 1983. He served in many capacities at the VFW District and State level, including Nebraska VFW State Commander in 2002-2003. He was also very active in American Legion and AmVets. Jerry was the project leader for organizing the constructions of a memorial for veterans in Lyons.
Jerry’s volunteer work has been acknowledged by receiving several awards including the Aksarben Good Neighbor Citation in 1990, Outstanding 4-H Leader in 1996, Honorary Chapter FFA Degree, VFW All- American Department Commander in 2002, and Admiral of The Great Navy of the State of Nebraska signed by Governor Mike Johanns in 2003.
Jerry was a farmer for 36 years and retired from farming at age 60 when the farming operation changed. He continued to help farmer friends with harvest.
Mardelle was a registered nurse and worked 15 years at the Oakland Memorial Hospital in Oakland, NE. She returned to college to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing from the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, NE and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from the University of Nebraska at Omaha, NE. Mardelle held various middle management nursing positions in Omaha. Mardelle retired in 2014.
Jerry and Mardelle had two children, Eric Ryan, born April 10, 1972 and Jill Renee, born December 17, 1974. Eric and his wife Laurie (Laura Speers) have two children, Henry Ryan born August 12, 2006 and Samuel Ryan born January 19, 2009. Jill and her husband Aaron Anderson have three children, Edie Grace born June 1, 2002, Owen Justin born March 2, 2005, and Emma Renee born January 29, 2008.
Jerry and Mardelle loved to travel. They travelled to all 7 continents and all 50 States. Mardelle also has been on three mission trips with the church. She went to Nigeria, China and Haiti. Jerry and Mardelle both went on a mission trip to Vietnam.
Both shared hobbies including landscape work in their yard, golf, and entertaining family and friends.
Gerald and Mardelle retired in Omaha/Bennington, NE.