Phillip “Pete” Pelster
1924 – 2009
Phillip Peter Pelster, son of John and Veronica (Buddecke) Pelster was born April 9, 2009 at Dalton, NE.
He was baptized at Dalton and moved with his family to Elgin, NE at age four. Pete was confirmed at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Elgin, NE, attended St. Boniface Catholic School for 11 years, and graduated from Elgin High School in 1943.
On August 13, 1946, he was united in marriage to Mildred Ann Hupp at Rural St. John’s Catholic Church southwest of Clearwater, NE. The couple made their home on a ranch in the Beaver Valley west of Elgin, in Wheeler County.
To this union 10 children were born.
Pete was a rancher, raising Black Angus commercial cattle. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, Sandhills Cattle Association, St. Boniface Parish Council and was a president of the school board for Wheeler County District #3. He enjoyed his horses, cattle and watching Chicago Cubs baseball.
On Thursday, November 19, 2009, Pete died at Antelope Memorial Hospital in Neligh, NE at the age of 85.
Pete is survived by his wife Mildred of Elgin, 10 children: JoAnn (Jim) Penne of Oakdale; Dodi (Don) Bauer of Oakdale; Bonnie (Gary) Dinslage of Elgin; Phyllis (Dennis) Cleveland of Ewing; Bob (Janice) Pelster of Bartlett; Denny (Judy) Pelster of Burwell; Jeanine (Kurt) Saner of Dunning; Jeanette (Dave) Henn of Petersburg; Marcia (Bob) Redler of Milford; Ginni (Bill) Fangman of Petersburg; 35 grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren; brother: Florian Pelster of Kearney; sister: Lucille Jillson of Lincoln; sister-in-law: Alfreda Pelster; along with many other relatives and friends.
Pete was preceded in death by his parents; great-grandson Kayson Lauridsen; six brothers: a brother in infancy, Jerome, LaVern, Maynard, Wilfrid and Raymond Pelster; four sisters: Esther Pelster, Laura Spieker; Irene Moser; and a sister in infancy.
A Mass of Christian Burial was held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, November 23, 2009 at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Elgin, NE, with Rev. John Broheimer officiating and burial in the parish cemetery.
Music was provided by Mark and Julie Dwyer at the wake service and by St. Boniface Choir at the mass, accompanied by organist, Rosie Schueths.
Lectors were Krista Demo and Carl Pelster. Trent Bauer, Andrew Fangman and Jordan Redler served mass.
Pall Bearers were Terry Bauer, Mark Dinslage, Wesley Pelster, Wade Saner, Ryan Cleveland, Jamy Penne, Ronn Pelster, and Justin Henn.
Honorary Pall Bearers were Merle Moser, Kenny Pelster, Kenny Heithoff, Maynard Scholl, Jerry Faust, Brian Wolcott, Gale Schindler, Larry Borer, Maynard Pelster, and Charlie Bode.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.huffmanlevander.com.
