Norman B. Abels

Norman B. Abels, age 101 of Elkhorn, NE, formerly Kearney, passed away on Tuesday, February 6, 2024 at Brookestone Meadows care center in Elkhorn. Funeral services will be on Monday, February 12, 2024 at 10:30 a.m. at Zion Lutheran Church in Kearney. Pastor James DeLoach will officiate and burial will be at Kearney Cemetery. Visitation will be on Sunday, February 11, 2024 from 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. at Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl Funeral and Cremation Services in Kearney and also 1 hour prior to services on Monday at the church. Memorials are suggested to Zion Lutheran School. Please visit www.hlmkfuneral.com to leave a tribute or message of condolence. Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl Funeral and Cremation Services are in charge of arrangements. Norman was born on the family farm northwest of Amherst, NE in rural Buffalo County to Carl H. and Emma (Berger) Abels. He was baptized on March 30, 1922 at Immanuel Lutheran Church near Amherst and later confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church in Amherst. He attended District 31 rural school northwest of Amherst and later graduated from Amherst High School in 1939. He farmed with his parents after high school in the Amherst area. He married Dorene Esther Bergt on June 11, 1944 at the Immanuel Lutheran Church. Norman and Esther farmed together and also operated a dairy northwest of Amherst for many years. They eventually moved to Kearney in 1968 where Norman worked construction. He initially worked for Woody Skeen and later Johnson Imperial Homes before eventually becoming a self-employed contractor. Norman and Esther also worked as custodians at Zion Lutheran Church for 5 ½ years and the Kearney E-Free Church for 9 ½ years. He was a member of Zion Lutheran Church where he served in many capacities over the years including as a trustee. Surviving relatives include his daughters, Gloria Travis of Kearney, NE and Dorothy (Gary) Harmoney of Omaha, NE; son, Arlee (Ann) Abels of Omaha, NE; 16 grandchildren; 30 great grandchildren; 3 great great grandchildren; numerous other extended family and friends. Norman was preceded in death by his wife, D. Esther Abels; sisters, Selma Marienau, Mildred Kuebler and Evelyn Reissner

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Norman B. Abels

March 9, 1922 - February 6, 2024