Obituary for Delores L. Konert at Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home (2024)

A memorial service for Delores L. Konert will be held on Thursday, September 26, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at the St. John’s Lutheran Church in Wilcox, Nebraska with Reverend Kenton Birtell officiating. Interment will be held prior to the service at the Freewater Cemetery in rural Wilcox, Nebraska.

The funeral will be live-streamed via St. John's Lutheran Church's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/st.johnslutheranwilcox

Delores LaRose Konert, 97 years of age, of Wilcox, Nebraska, passed away surrounded by her loving family, on Wednesday, September 18, 2024, at Christian Homes Care Community in Holdrege. Delores was born on the farm in rural Harlan County, Nebraska, on January 28, 1927, the second of three children, born to August and Rilla (Arehart) Reiss. She received her primary education from Freewater Rural School near her home by Wilcox and later attended and graduated from Wilcox High School, with the class of 1944. She pursued higher education and majored in Music with a minor in education at Midland Lutheran College.

On February 20, 1952, Delores was united in marriage to Leonard Francis Konert at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Cedar Rapids, Nebraska, and to this union, two sons were born: Brian and Mike. The couple made their home on the farm near Wilcox. Delores taught for over 38 years at various schools with her first job in Cedar Rapids. She owned a shop in Wilcox called Plants and Pretties where she sold ceramics among other items. Around the time she retired, she worked at a Gift Shop in Estes Park, Colorado during the summers.

Delores made and painted ceramics. From Easter eggs to nativity sets, and even thousands of ornaments featuring Christmas mice, Delores’s ceramics are beautiful decorations displayed in surely thousands of homes and will be enjoyed for generations.

She was a talented seamstress, making each of her grandchildren a personalized quilt they all will remember her by. She was always available to sew a button, fix a hole or a popped seam. Delores made and donated dozens of quilts over the years.

Delores had a charitable heart, spending her free time in her later years knitting a multitude of hats and blankets, donating them to children in need. She spent many autumns organizing “Christmas Boxes” with toys and handmade items to be given to children across the world to brighten their Christmas mornings. She was always ready to champion a worthy cause and humbly serve others.

Delores was a teacher at heart; she was always available to help her grandchildren with homework. She also provided piano and guitar lessons. Delores will be remembered for her accomplished teaching and love of music by many past students.

But most of all, she loved spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary and St. John’s Lutheran Church where she was baptized and confirmed as a child and played the organ for several years.

Delores was preceded in death by her husband, Leonard Konert; her parents, August and Rilla Reiss; two brothers: Leland Reiss and wife, Beverly; Lawrence Reiss and wife, Loretta; one sister-in-law, Marjorie Bode and husband, Norbert; and her special fur friends, Patches and Fletcher.

Delores is survived by her two sons: Brian Konert and wife, Michelle of Wilcox, Nebraska; Mike Konert and wife, Susan of Huntley, Nebraska; six grandchildren: Sarah Thompson and husband, Bryan of Lincoln, Nebraska; Derek Konert and wife, Ashley of Hastings, Nebraska; Brandon Konert and wife, Emily of Wilcox; Amanda VanKirk and husband, Paul of Hastings; Olivia Garske and husband Andrew of Seward, Nebraska; Chase Konert and wife, Erin of Lincoln; seven great-grandchildren: Silas and Molly Thompson; Colson and Peyton VanKirk; and Ava, Audrey, and Kyler Konert; one sister-in-law, Jackie Reiss of Holdrege; along with a host of nieces and nephews, other relatives, and friends.

A visitation will be held on Wednesday, September 25, 2024, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with family greeting friends from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege.

A memorial has been established in Delores’ honor, and kindly suggested to St. John’s Lutheran Church or St. Jude Children’s Hospital.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com

The Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege is in charge of the arrangements.

Obituary for Delores L. Konert at Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home (2024)
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