Irene E. Pretzer

Irene Edna (Fisher) Pretzer, 98, long time resident of Diller, NE passed from this life on November 30, 2016 at Gardenside Nursing Home in Fairbury.

Irene was born February 23, 1918 at Virginia, NE. Her parents were Joseph Fisher and Clara (Bell) Fisher. Everett Fisher and Betty Vanek were her siblings. She spoke of one time when her brother was drowning and she was able to pull him out of the pond. They went to country school and enjoyed the community gatherings.

On December, 6, 1941, Irene bought her wedding dress the day before Pearle Harbor was bombed. She was married to Verne Pretzer December 28, 1941 at Centenary Methodist Church in Beatrice. Verne was drafted into the Army the following April. Irene taught 9 years in several country schools during this time in the Wymore area. One of her favorite stories in her teaching career concerned a skunk that was in the cellar of the school. She told a school board member about it so he checked it out and got sprayed. The school reeked with the odor.

Irene lived with her aunt and uncle at Lewiston, NE during her 4 years of high school. She was salutatorian of her class. She took Normal Training to become a teacher and then went to Peru State College for a summer.

After Verne got out of the Army in January 1946, they lived in Beatrice until Verne’s father bought 207 acres 2 ½ miles west of Diller. They worked together on the farm. Irene took care of over 1000 chickens that were a hatching flock. She raised a large garden and preserved fruits and vegetables every year. In their retirement years they enjoyed many trips throughout the US as well as Europe and Australia.

Irene was known for sending greeting cards. She seldom missed a birthday or anniversary. Even after she was nearly blind, she still wanted to make sure everyone got cards from her. She would also call friends and family with her greetings. She was always quick to take food to a family when there was a death. She enjoyed cooking and made sure everyone had more than enough to eat.

Verne and Irene were members of the United Church of Christ in Diller until it dissolved. She was a charter member of the Merry Modern Extension Club and a member of the ladies auxiliary of the VFW.

Irene is survived by her children: Dean and wife Jane Pretzer of Diller, NE, Marilyn and husband Jim Gaster of Indianola, NE, and Ruth and husband Stephen Gasper of Fairbury, NE; grandchildren: Scott and wife Holli Pretzer of Firth, NE, Sheri and husband Jamie Schultis of Diller, NE, Lori and husband Dan Crawford of Beatrice, NE, Bryan Gaster of Los Angeles, CA and Jeremy Gaster and wife Derlys of Oberlin, KS, Keith Gasper and wife Dannie of Fairbury, NE, Tami and husband Josh Redfield of Lincoln, NE and Becky Gasper of Fairbury, NE; 15 great-grandchildren and many other family and friends.

She is preceded in death by her husband Verne, parents Joseph and Clara Fisher, brother Everett and wife Dorothy, sister Betty Vanek and husband Art.

Services will be Saturday, December 3, 2016 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Diller, NE. Interment will be in the Prairie Home Cemetery, Diller, NE. Gerdes-Meyer Funeral Home is in charge of the services. Memorials will be made to the Verne and Irene Pretzer Nursing Scholarship.

Irene lived a full life, loving her family and appreciating every visit and call.