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Biegert, Willis Wilford

Male 1917 - 1984  (66 years)


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  • Name Biegert, Willis Wilford 
    Nickname Smokey 
    Born 6 Nov 1917  Stanton Township, Fillmore County, Nebraska, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  [1, 2] 
    Gender Male 
    Died 28 Jan 1984  Geneva, Fillmore County, Nebraska, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  [1, 3] 

    •      The following is a transcription provided by Jane Michel of an obituary for Willis Wilford Biegert which appeared in The Nebraska Signal, of Geneva, Nebraska, on 2 February 1984.

                Willis Biegert Services Held

           Willis Wilford Biegert was born to Wilson Henry and Lydia Mae Richardson Biegert on November 6, 1917, in Stanton Township near Martland and passed away on January 28, 1984, at Heritage of Geneva at the age of 66 years, two months and 22 days. He was one of four children in the family.
           Willis, or "Smokey" as he was better known, grew up and went to school in Shickley. He graduated from the Shickley High School and attended the University of Nebraska for two years. He return to Shickley and began operating a cafe.
           He was married to Helen H. Reinsch of Geneva on November 26, 1940, and to them ten children were born. Shortly after their marriage, they moved to Chicago, where he worked for the Thomas Edison Company.
           In 1943 he was inducted into the Army. His tour of duty was largely served in Germany. Upon being discharged from the service, he returned to Fillmore County, where he was occupied in body and fender work, farming, construction and his work with the United States Post Office.
           He retired from postal work after 30 years of service, during which time he was a letter carrier in Geneva and a rural route carrier out of Fairmont.
           During his years in Geneva, he served on numerous committees and boards. He was a member of the St. Joseph's Catholic Church on the Geneva City Council and the Geneva Volunteer Fire Department, was a Charter Member, an organizer and lifetime member of the V.F.W. and was most active in the building of the present V.F.W. Hall. He was past Commander of Post 7102 V.F.W. and a district Commander. He was also a member of the American Legion Post 68.
           His activities and enjoyment ranged from fishing and hunting to bowling, baseball and antique cars. He greatly loved music and this interest led him to help initiate "The County Boy's Band" which allowed him to share his love of music and meet new people and form new friendships. Smokey always seemed to have time to help family, friends and his community.
           He was preceded in death by his parents: by a son, Douglas Wilson; and a daughter, Colleen Francis; a brother Arthur; and an infant sister.
           He is survived by his wife, Helen of Geneva; sons, Thomas Emil and wife Toodie of Geneva, Steven James and wife Janet of Lincoln and William Paul of Omaha; five daughters, Sister Susan Theresa Biegert of Lawrence, Nancy Carol (Mrs. Steve Seward) of Geneva, Sally Ann (Mrs. Tony Armatys) of Central City, Joann Louise (Mrs. Steve Keist) of Lincoln and Jeannettee Eilleen (Mrs. Don Ham) of Lincoln; a sister, Mrs. James (Darlene) Vodicka of Exeter; half-sisters, Mrs. Fern Gent of Aurora and Mrs. Dorothea Novak of Sidney; and by nine grandchildren.
           Funeral services were conducted Tuesday, January 31, from the St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Geneva with Father Walter Banach officiating.
           Rosary was recited Monday; January 30, from the Farmer & Son Funeral Home in Geneva.
           Pallbearers were Richard L. Reinsch, Dean L. Reinsch, Howard Reinsch, Robert Reinsch, John Reinsch and Jim Reinsch.
           Military graveside services were held from the St. Joseph's Cemetery with Samuel-Marsh Post 7102 V.F.W. and Sloan-Bolton Post 68 American Legion in charge.
    Buried Geneva, Fillmore County, Nebraska, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  [4, 5] 
    • Willis was buried in St. Joseph's Catholic Cemetery.
    Person ID I6874  Fiegenbaum
    Last Modified 13 Mar 2011 

    Father Biegert, Wilson Henry 
    Mother Richardson, Lydia Mae 
    Married Y  [6] 
    • Wilson and Lydia were the parents of four children according to an obituary for their son, Willis W. Biegert. One of the children, a daughter, died as a infant. Also, Willis was survived in 1984 by 2 half-sisters.
    Family ID F2219  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family Reinsch, Helen Henrietta,   b. 7 Nov 1917, Stanton Township, Fillmore County, Nebraska, USA Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 12 Apr 2003, Geneva, Fillmore County, Nebraska, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 85 years) 
    Married 26 Nov 1940  [7, 8, 9, 10] 
    • They were the parents of ten children. Our current information does allow us to determine the birth order for all of the children.
    Children 
     1. Biegert, Douglas Wilson,   b. 13 Sep 1943, Geneva, Fillmore County, Nebraska, USA Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 21 Sep 1946, Geneva, Fillmore County, Nebraska, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 3 years)
     2. Biegert, Colleen Francis,   b. 1956,   d. 1956  (Age 0 years)
     3. Biegert, Jeanette Eileen
     4. Biegert, Joann Louise
     5. Biegert, Nancy Carol
     6. Biegert, Sally Ann
     7. Biegert, Steven James
     8. Biegert, Susan Therese
     9. Biegert, Thomas Emil
     10. Biegert, William Paul
    Last Modified 6 Aug 2018 
    Family ID F2218  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  • Sources 
    1. [S48] Cemetery or burial marker, St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery. Geneva, Fillmore County, Nebraska.
      Image of gravestone provided in August 2009 by Jane Michel.
           According to the engraving on the joint stone for Helen H. and Willis W. (Smokey) Biegert, Willis was born on 6 November 1917 and died on 28 January 1984.

    2. [S22] Obituary, Nebraska Signal (Geneva, Nebrasak); 2 February 1984.
      Transcription of obituary for "Willis Wilford Biegert" provided by Jane Michel.
           "Willis Wilford Biegert was born to Wilson Henry and Lydia Mae Richardson Biegert on November 6, 1917, in Stanton Township near Martland.... He was one of four children in the family."

    3. [S22] Obituary, Nebraska Signal (Geneva, Nebrasak); 2 February 1984.
      Transcription of obituary for "Willis Wilford Biegert" provided by Jane Michel.

    4. [S48] Cemetery or burial marker, St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery. Geneva, Fillmore County, Nebraska.
      A joint gravestone for Helen H. and Willis W. (Smokey) Biegert. Image of the stone provided in August 2009 by Jane Michel.

    5. [S22] Obituary, Nebraska Signal (Geneva, Nebrasak); 2 February 1984.
      Transcription of obituary for "Willis Wilford Biegert" provided by Jane Michel.
           "Military graveside services were held from the St. Joseph's Cemetery with Samuel-Marsh Post 7102 V.F.W. and Sloan-Bolton Post 68 American Legion in charge."

    6. [S22] Obituary, Nebraska Signal (Geneva, Nebrasak); 2 February 1984.
      Transcription of obituary for "Willis Wilford Biegert" provided by Jane Michel.
           "Willis Wilford Biegert was born to Wilson Henry and Lydia Mae Richardson Biegert on November 6, 1917, in Stanton Township near Martland.... He was one of four children in the family."
           "He was preceded in death ... by ... a brother Arthur; and an infant sister.
           "He is survived by ... a sister, Mrs. James (Darlene) Vodicka of Exeter; half-sisters, Mrs. Fern Gent of Aurora and Mrs. Dorothea Novak of Sidney; ...."

    7. [S22] Obituary, Nebraska Signal (Geneva, Nebraska); 2 January 1975.
      Obituary for Henry W. Steffgen who died on 22 December 1974. Transcription provided by Jane Michel.
           "Pallbearers were Wayne Budler, Bernard Budler, Joseph Reinsch, W. W. Biegert, Floyd Pontine and Cecil Perkins, nephews of the deceased."

    8. [S48] Cemetery or burial marker, St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery. Geneva, Fillmore County, Nebraska.
      Image of gravestone provided in August 2009 by Jane Michel.
           According to the engraving on the joint stone for Helen H. and Willis W. (Smokey) Biegert, they were married on 26 November 1940.

    9. [S22] Obituary, Nebraska Signal (Geneva, Nebraska); April 2003.
      Transcription of obituary for "Helen Biegert" provided by Jane Michel.
           "On Nov. 26, 1940, she married Willis. W. Biegert with who she had ten children. The couple resided in Shickley and later moved to Geneva, where she raised their children."
           "Helen was preceded in death by ... a son, Douglas Wilson; and a daughter Colleen Francis; .....
           "She is survived by her sons: Thomas Emil and wife, Toodie of Geneva; Steven James and wife, Janet of Lincoln; William Paul and wife, Kathleen Grossman of Lincoln; five daughters, Sister Susan Therese Biegert of South Dakota; Nancy Carol (Mrs. Steve Seward) of Geneva; Sally Ann (Mrs. Tony Armatys) of Central City; Joann Louise (Mrs. Steve Keist) of Arizona; and Jeanette Eileen (Mrs. Don Ham) of Lincoln; ...."

    10. [S22] Obituary, Nebraska Signal (Geneva, Nebrasak); 2 February 1984.
      Transcription of obituary for "Willis Wilford Biegert" provided by Jane Michel.
           "He was married to Helen H. Reinsch of Geneva on November 26, 1940, and to them ten children were born."
           "He was preceded in death ... by a son, Douglas Wilson; and a daughter, Colleen Francis; a brother Arthur; and an infant sister.
           "He is survived by his wife, Helen of Geneva; sons, Thomas Emil and wife Toodie of Geneva, Steven James and wife Janet of Lincoln and William Paul of Omaha; five daughters, Sister Susan Theresa Biegert of Lawrence, Nancy Carol (Mrs. Steve Seward) of Geneva, Sally Ann (Mrs. Tony Armatys) of Central City, Joann Louise (Mrs. Steve Keist) of Lincoln and Jeannettee Eilleen (Mrs. Don Ham) of Lincoln; a sister, Mrs. James (Darlene) Vodicka of Exeter; half-sisters, Mrs. Fern Gent of Aurora and Mrs. Dorothea Novak of Sidney; ...."


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