Over one hundred and two years ago, on December 3, 1921, Lorna Hildreth (Werner) Waldmeier was born to Walter and Amelia Werner in Wisner, Nebraska. After a loving, full life, Lorna died June 22, 2024, in Beatrice, Nebraska.

Lorna began the first few years of her life living on the Werner family farm in Wisner, Nebraska. Then, at the time of the Great Depression of the 1930's, the bank foreclosed, and her parents lost everything, including the farm. At that time, Lorna was the oldest child of five children, soon to be six. This loss of the farm forced her family to move to Hebron, Nebraska. After moving to Hebron, she eventually became the oldest of eight children, and although she was the oldest, she is the last of those eight siblings to pass away.

  As a teenager, Lorna met her sweetheart, Norbert Waldmeier. They married on September 7, 1941. To this union, one daughter, Bonnie Jean, was born. The family then lived in Hebron through 1960. At that time Lorna and Norbert moved to Beatrice, Nebraska, where they resided the rest of their lives. Lorna and Norbert were always a very happy couple and enjoyed each other's company. 

Lorna’s nature was feisty. She was always ready for a card game, dancing, football Saturdays in Lincoln, and having friends and family over for dinner. In her later years, she belonged to many Pitch and Bridge groups that kept her social. She even spent 38 years making schedules at the Bargain Box, in Beatrice.

For 50 years, Lorna was a very active member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Beatrice. During this time, she had been a member of the choir, and was a volunteer for the Community Food Pantry housed at the church. Her faith in God was always a “matter of fact.” While visiting with her, she often confessed her faith in God and always asked, “Do you attend church regularly?” At age 98, Lorna made the newspaper for using her sewing skills to sew children’s layettes, that were sent to children in need.

Those mourning Lorna’s death include: her daughter, Bonnie Jean and son-in-law Russell Priefert, of Hebron, Nebraska, grandson, Tom and wife, Angie Priefert, of Belvidere, Nebraska, grand-daughter, Jennifer Priefert of Omaha, Nebraska, grandson-in-law, Pete Demma of Lincoln, Nebraska, and great-granddaughters Rubie Demma of Lincoln, Nebraska and Landi Priefert of Belvidere, Nebraska. She is also mourned by many nieces and nephews as well as many friends.

Lorna was preceded in death by her husband, Norbert Waldmeier and granddaughter, Teresa Demma. Lorna has now joined her parents Walter and Amelia Werner and all seven of her younger brothers and sisters, Wally, Mildred, Burdean, Edward, Shirley, Eugene and Doyle Werner.

 A Celebration of Lorna’s Life Service will held at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, June 25, 2024 at St. John Lutheran Church in Beatrice. The service will be Livestreamed by the church. Interment will be at the Rose Hill Cemetery in Hebron, NE. The body will lie in state Monday from 1-8:00 PM at the Griffiths-Hovendick Chapel in Beatrice. A family prayer service will be held at 9:45 AM Monday at the church. A memorial has been established to St. John Lutheran Church with the funeral home in charge.

Please leave your memories and upload photos to help us celebrate the life of Lorna Waldmeier on her memorial page at www.ghchapel.com. 

These services have been entrusted to the Griffiths-Hovendick Chapel in Beatrice.