Robert N. Schrage
1919 — 2013
Robert N. Schrage, 94 of Elgin, passed away May 25, 2013 at the Golden Living Center in Neligh.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday (today) at St. Boniface Church in Elgin with Reverend Ross Burkhalter officiating. Interment will follow at St. Boniface Cemetery with military rites by American Legion Post #229 and VFW Post #5816 of Elgin. Huffman-Levander Funeral Home of Elgin is in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.huffmanlevander.com.
*****
Robert Norbert Schrage was born March 9, 1919, to Ferdinand and Anna (Klein) Schrage in Raeville, NE. He was baptized at St. Bonaventure Church in Raeville and attended the parish school at St. Bonaventure. Robert was the second of nine children.
He married Marie J. Petsche on June 23, 1943, in Raeville. They farmed east of Elgin for many years and retired to town in 2005. They were active members of the St. Boniface parish.
Robert served in the United States Army from January 1942 to December 1945. He served for two years in the European Theater in England, France, Belgium, and Germany. Robert was a lifetime member of the American Legion, the VFW, and the Knights of Columbus. After his military service, he returned to farming and for several years participated in the Veterans Farm Program through the Elgin High School.
Robert was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He enjoyed hunting and fishing and often took his grandkids fishing. He loved to be outdoors, was mechanically inclined, and often could be found doing repairs on cars and tractors and tinkering with farm and other equipment.
Robert is survived by seven children: Diane and Gary Kerkman of Raeville; Pamela and Charles Meis of Albion; Gary and Janice (Vanourney) Schrage of Sloan, IA; Paul and Jolene (Bennett) Schrage of Elgin; Jeanne and Steve Stokes of Petersburg; Jayne and Gary Arehart of Elgin; Dan and Deanne (Veik) Schrage of Neligh; sisters Flora Hoefer of Columbus and Bernette (Jim) Raemakers of Bayard, IA; brothers Jerome of Omaha and Ferd (Ramona) of Petersburg; sisters-in-law Vivian Schrage, Sally Beckman, and Janice Schrage; 22 grandchildren; 34 great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ferdinand and Anna Schrage, wife Marie, three brothers: Claude, Raymond, and Walter; one sister, Rita (in infancy); brother-in-law Quentin Hoefer and sisters-in-law Josephine Schrage and Patricia Schrage.
