Around the State - Nebraska Funeral Directors Association

Around the State
January 2015
From the President
Greetings to all,
I hope everyone had a great Christmas and a Happy New Year. I thoroughly loved talking to all of
you who attended our district meetings in November. At one of the meetings, a veteran director
of over 40 years made the comment that our profession has seen more changes in the last five
years than his previous entire career. I would have to agree. With the rapid changes in technology,
the growing number of options available for families regarding services and the disposition of the
body, we must stay vigilant with our continuing education to keep up with the changing times.
Gary Straatmann
Speaking of continuing education, we are working with our lobbyists and the Department of Insurance to have
our CE hours reduced for our pre-need insurance license. I want to thank Bill Lauber, our Legislative Chairman,
for the countless hours he has spent with this agenda.
Finally, I want to repeat an earlier communication you received from the NeFDA’s office: The Chicago Regional
OSHA office has launched “a new program in Nebraska” focusing on increased education about “highly hazardous
chemicals” commonly used in funeral homes and certain manufacturing and printing facilities, and outpatient
health centers.
“Businesses in this sector will see more inspections,” said Darwin Craig, assistant director for OSHA in the Omaha
office. The apparent emphasis is intended to address hazards in the workplace that pose certain risks to workers.
We are urging all NeFDA members to take this notification seriously and re-examine employer OSHA compliance
policies that your company has implemented and assess if there are any areas of compliance that need attention.
With that bit of “good” news, I want to wish you a Happy New Year
and keep serving faithfully.
Gary M. Straatmann
NeFDA President
Table of Contents
Protect Your Funeral Home
3
Policy Board Update
4
Legislative Update
5
NeFDA PAC
7
Federated Insurance
9
Treasurer’s Report
Obituaries
9
10-11
Board of Funeral Directing & Embalming 11
NeFDA Dues Reminder
11
Zabka Funeral Home Celebrates 140 Years 12
2014 NeFDA District Meetings
Classifieds
NeFDA members at the 2014 NFDA Convention in Nashville, Tennessee.
12
13
2015 NeFDA Annual Convention
14
NeFDA Fundraiser
14
1
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2
Protect Your Funeral Home Against Data Breaches
We’ve all seen the headlines regarding the customer data breaches that have occurred recently at JPMorgan,
Home Depot and Target. Although these examples occurred electronically and with large companies, this doesn’t
mean a data breach can’t happen to your funeral home. The last thing you want to see is your firm’s name on the
front page of your local paper due to the theft of your customers’ data.
Funeral Service Insider recently published an article about identity theft, which provided information about the ways
funeral homes may be vulnerable to data breaches. This article brought to mind an incident involving a funeral
home that experienced a break-in last year. The funeral home’s staff was concerned the thief may have had access
to their customers’ personal information, and Homesteaders worked with the firm to ensure any policies issued
by Homesteaders and assigned to the funeral home had adequate protection from a potential privacy breach.
Funeral homes maintain significant private data on their customers, such as addresses, dates of birth, bank
account and credit card numbers, next of kin, etc. Funeral home staff members need this data to be able to serve
customers, but it could become the target of identity thieves if it isn’t properly secured.
Customer data needs to be secure whether you store it electronically or on paper. In addition to network firewalls,
some basic methods of protecting electronic data include keeping your anti-virus software updated and requiring
strong, frequently changed passwords to access data. For data in paper format, make sure the documents are in
locked filing cabinets or locked rooms with limited personnel access, black out the beginning numbers of Social
Security numbers and immediately shred documents that include credit card or bank account numbers.
If you utilize credit/debit card machines for payments, you must also be aware of the Payment Card Industry Data
Security Standard, also called “PCI standards”, which are designed to ensure a secure environment for credit card
information. Any entity that accepts credit or debit cards for payments (regardless of size) is required to abide by
these standards. You can access information regarding PCI standards online.
Now is the time to establish a security breach plan if you don’t have one already. This should include (but is not
limited to) descriptions of how you protect your data, who needs to be informed about a data breach and how you
will resolve the breach. These preventative measures can go a long way in protecting your customers’ personal
information.
The article below was written by Homesteaders’ Director-Compliance & Government Relations Tracy Kelly-Whitaker, and
originally appeared in the myHomesteaders newsletter.
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Save the Date
The 2015 NeFDA Annual Convention will take place
May 5-7 at the Embassy Suites in Lincoln.
3
Policy Board Update
The NFDA Policy Board met prior to the National Convention in Nashville, Tennessee, in
October. The meetings began on Friday afternoon with time spent getting acquainted provided
for incoming Policy Board representatives. We then broke into smaller groups where each state
was able to discuss what was happening in their state.
The Policy Board kicked off the following morning with a roll call of states. As this was my
first meeting with the Policy Board, I was very impressed with the number of states that were
present for this meeting. During the morning session we reviewed the policies which had been
John Rice
under consideration during the last meeting and examined the new way in which policies would
be categorized in the future. It was determined that there were a number of policies which would likely never be
considered by Congress. Each year during the Advocacy Meetings, state association officers and Policy Board
Representatives were having discussions with their representatives in the House and Senate about legislation
they would like to see passed. Over the years it has become obvious that some of these don’t stand a realistic
chance of being passed. Rather than continuing to bring these items back year after year, they are being dropped
into a category where they would only be brought back up for discussion if it appears the politics have changed
in some way that would make it possible for passage of a bill. The rationale behind this move is to be able to only
bring forward areas where there is general agreement and likelihood of a bill being passed. Having been in that
group of Nebraska funeral directors going to visit our congressmen and senators, this makes sense and allows
time for discussion on areas where we may actually see results.
The afternoon session was spent with a number of speakers providing the Policy Board members with updates
in several areas. We had a representative from funeral service education provide us with changes taking place
in funeral service education. Christine Pepper, Executive Director of NFDA gave an informal “state of the NFDA”
presentation, and our NFDA lobbyists informed the members of the political landscape and their views of how it
might change following the national elections. We were also given an update on NFDA’s “Have a Talk of a Lifetime”
promotion. This promotion continues to grow in the number of funeral homes which are now using the information
in their communities. If you have not looked into this, I would encourage you to do so.
Looking ahead, I will be going to Milwaukee January 19 and 20 to the NFDA headquarters where I will meet with
19 other new Policy Board members for orientation. This meeting will also allow the new Policy Board members an
opportunity to meet many of the NFDA staff that we will be communicating with over the next year. It should be a
valuable learning opportunity and I look
forward to that time.
I would like to end this report by thanking
Jon Reichmuth for his service as Policy
Board Representative for the past three
years. Every Policy Board member I
talked to spoke highly of Jon and his
service on the Policy Board. He was
very well respected and represented
our state association well during his
years on the Board. Thanks Jon, from
all of us!
John Rice
NFDA Policy Board Representative
4
Legislative Update
The 104th Legislative session convened on January 7. It brought with it a new governor, a new
speaker and inauguration of 18 new state senators. The 90-day session is scheduled to adjourn
on June 5. Introductory bills on the watch list are:
•
•
•
•
•
LB 146 (Crawford, Garrett) “Provide for Disposition of unclaimed cremated remains in a
veteran cemetery”
LB 198 (Williams) “Authorize licenses for limited line pre-need funeral insurance”
LB 241 (Stinner) “Change provisions relating to conveyances of cemetery lots”
William Lauber
LB 640 (Garrett) “Provide for retrocession of jurisdiction for land on which the Omaha
National Cemetery is located”
LB 998, which contains our Right of Disposition laws and was signed into law by the governor in 2014, has
already proved beneficial to funeral directors around the state. Unfortunately, we encounter deaths where
survivors (who may or may not hold the superior right) choose not to cooperate in the arrangement conference.
This bill addresses the more and more common “estrangement” cases that we face and I urge all of you to be
well-versed in the bill’s language. Many of you have called me and said that the bill has really helped when
you are placed in uncomfortable situations in the arrangement conference.
NeFDA’s LB 198, “Authorize licenses for limited line pre-need funeral insurance” was introduced and I testified
at the Banking, Commerce and Insurance Committee hearing on January 27. It succeeded to get through the
committee and is sitting on general file at the time of this publication. If passed, it would finally define preneed
funeral insurance, make it a limited line qualification, reduce schooling to receive such a license, and reduce
the two year continuing education requirements to hold such a license. Also included was language that made
differences in qualifications between licensed funeral directors who qualify to sell preneed funeral insurance and
those who are not licensed funeral directors and want to sell and maintain a preneed funeral insurance license.
It currently takes about 20 hours of education to pass a life/annuity license based upon the current examinations
sponsored by AD Banker. You are also required to maintain the license by receiving 24 hours of continuing
education every two years.
The new bill, if passed, reduces this requirement down to three hours of life insurance/annuity training, three hours of
ethics to pass the examination for qualification for licensed funeral directors, five hours for non-licensed funeral directors
and three hours of ethics for those who want to sell preneed funeral insurance. For continuing education, licensed
funeral directors will need to acquire three hours of life and three hours of ethics every two years and non-licensed
individuals would need six hours of
life and three hours of ethics.
The Heritage Company
William Lauber,
NeFDA Legislative Chairman
The original bereavement program since 1974
Affiliate Member of the NeFDA
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6
NeFDA PAC
NeFDA State PAC Report Year Ending 2014
Staying up-to-date on the issues that affect your funeral home and the families you serve is vital to your success.
Nebraska State Legislation can have an impact on how you run your business, how you serve your families, and
ultimately, your bottom line.
It can be challenging, however, to keep up with the changing political landscape, especially when your priority is
to first ensure your families receive the care and attention they deserve. Still, it is important that you don’t lose
sight of the issues that could affect your business.
Each year, the NeFDA Legislative Chairman and Committee analyze and discuss state legislative bills and issues
that may impact your establishment. They will continue to advocate on your behalf.
Thank you for your support of NeFDA’s membership and state advocacy efforts. Your support and involvement
plays a critical and instrumental role in our ability to represent you at the unicameral. If you would like a candidate
to be considered for campaign contributions, let our office know.
Association members have the opportunity to donate funds to the NeFDA PAC fund. Your generosity ensures
that we continue to have a voice in political matters that directly affect our profession. Thank you to everyone
who has already donated. If you haven’t donated, please consider doing so to help support your association.
PAC Contributors 2014
Ryan Bauer
Gerald
Beckenhauer
Paul Becker
Jim Bornschlegl
Greg Brockhaus
Jon Brouillette
William Cutler III
Brian Daake
Steve Dubas
William Greenway
Ronald Grenz
Thomas Gude
Scott Hasemann
James L Jones
William Lauber
Anthony Levander
Ron Levander
Larry Ludvigsen
Michael Mauch
Dennis Marshall
Paul Matukewicz
Darel Olliff
Randy Paugh
Todd Peters
Jon Reichmuth
John Rice
Jon Roeder
PAC Contributors 2015 (to date)
Ken Sandoz
Jessica Schulz
Bruce Stitt
Thomas T. Varney
Trent Wagner
Jim Wintz
Vaughn & Tina
Wright
Greg Zabka
Dan Ashburn
Ryan Bauer
Gerald Beckenhauer
Paul Becker
Greg Brockhaus
Jon Brouillette
Brian Daake
Paul Duesman
Bill Greenway
Ronald Grenz
Thomas Gude
Scott Hasemann
Anthony Levander
Ron Levander
Larry Ludvigsen
Daniel Naranjo
Darel Olliff
Todd Peters
Rogene Phelps
Jon Reichmuth
John Rice
Jon Roeder
Bruce Stitt
Richard Thoreen
James Wintz
Greg Zabka
Seeking Board Nominations
NeFDA Annual Business
Meeting Notice
The 2015 Annual Business Meeting
of the Nebraska Funeral Directors
Association will be held from 11:00
a.m. - 12:00 noon on Wednesday,
May 6, 2015, at the Embassy Suites
in Lincoln, Nebraska, during the
Annual Convention.
The NeFDA Nominating Committee, under
the chair of Past President Vaughn Wright,
is requesting members interested in seeking
elective office as NeFDA Secretary to please
contact Vaughn at (402) 223-2341. District
Vice Presidents for Districts 3, 5 & 7 will also
become available in May of 2015. Interested
individuals should contact the following
District Presidents:
District 3 – Tray Van Metre (402) 358-3236
District 5 – Stefanie Sawyer (308) 632-2121
District 7 – Jason Tickle (308) 284-4055
7
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Treasurer’s Report
The Nebraska Funeral Directors Association is working with a CPA to wrap up the 2014 fiscal year. Once again
our association is in a strong financial position. A final yearend report will be provided to you at the 2015 Annual
Convention held in May. We will be able to add to our reserves and the board continues to work with our financial
advisor from UBS to receive updates on our current investments. Thank you for your support in 2014!
In December the board of directors established the budget for 2015 and Kathi Schildt, NeFDA Executive Director,
and myself worked hard to examine each line item to project the income and expenses as close to actual as
possible. We show a small net income for 2015 on our budget assumptions so we will need to closely monitor
each line item through the year and try to create some new revenue opportunities if possible.
In 2015, make plans to attend the upcoming Annual Convention and Fall Workshop. The board encourages members
to take advantage of the plentiful professional development and networking opportunities by participating. The
board has recently identified sponsorship and exhibitor opportunities for the upcoming Annual Convention and will
continue to explore other ways to grow revenue in order to enhance the programs and services that are delivered
to you, the member. Several board members will be making personal calls to potential sponsors and exhibitors please take a moment to mention the 2015 Convention to your contacts and thank those who have supported us
in the past and encourage them to sign up
today to be a sponsor or exhibitor.
If you have questions regarding NeFDA’s
financial position, please contact me or the
other NeFDA board members.
Jim Wintz
NeFDA Treasurer
9
Obituaries
Dorothy Hamel was born May 3, 1921, in Plainview, Nebraska, and left her earthly life on September 29, 2014, in Lubbock,
Texas. Dorothy was the only child of Henry and Muriel Guinn Wright. She attended country school and Plainview Public
Schools, graduating with the class of 1939. She attended Wayne State College and taught in the schools of rural Pierce
County for three years. On May 22, 1943, Dorothy married Lieutenant Robert (Bob) Hamel at the Altus Army Airfield chapel
in Altus, Oklahoma. In 1944, Bob’s B-17 was shot down and he became a prisoner of war. During that time Dorothy lived in
Plainview and worked in the bank. After Bob’s liberation, they continued their education. Bob and Dorothy were associated
with furniture and funeral businesses in Rock Springs, Wyoming; Creighton and Hebron, Nebraska, eventually became
partners in the Hamel and Peck Funeral Home in Tekamah, Nebraska. They enjoyed their retirement years in their home in
Missouri and traveling in their RV.
Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents; and by her husband, Bob. Also pre-deceasing her were brother-in-law
Francis Lundeen, and nephew Douglas Lundeen. She is survived by daughters Donna (Joseph) Jelso and Roberta (James)
Richter; granddaughters Amy Jelso, Catherine Richter, and Laurel (Patrick) Whelan; sister-in-law Faye Lundeen; nieces
and nephew Janie Sogioka and Sandra and Robert Lundeen; great nieces and nephews; great great nieces and nephews;
cousins Leonard and Ilene Guinn and Mary Ann and Harlan Peters.
Milo DeWitt Perry, Jr., age 89 of Plattsmouth passed away peacefully on Tuesday, November 25, 2014, at the Nebraska
Masonic Home in Plattsmouth. Milo was born on July 6, 1925, to Milo DeWitt Sr. and Freda (Dietz) Perry in Norfolk. He was
raised and schooled in Norfolk and he graduated from Norfolk High School with the class of 1943. After graduating from
high school, he enlisted in the US Navy, serving during WWII in the Pacific Theatre for three years. Milo married the love
of his life LaVerne Mae Kellner on August 29, 1948, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Norfolk. He attended the University of
Nebraska at Lincoln, Norfolk Junior College, and graduated from St. Louis School of Mortuary Science in St. Louis, MO. He
completed his mortuary science internship at John A. Gentleman Mortuary in Omaha. Then Milo worked for Crosby Kunold
Funeral Home in Omaha and later for Bader Funeral Home in Fremont. In 1964, Milo purchased Sattler Funeral Home in
Plattsmouth. He and John Fusselman operated Fusselman Perry Funeral Homes in Plattsmouth, Louisville, and Syracuse.
Milo retired 1982, and then in 1986 Milo and LaVerne moved to Belle Vista, Arizona, where they enjoyed their retirement
years. In 2008, they moved to Bellevue and in 2013 to the Nebraska Masonic Home in Plattsmouth.
Milo is survived by his wife of sixty six years, LaVerne Perry of Plattsmouth; daughter, Susan Nielsen and husband Steven
of Bellevue; son, James “Jim” Perry and wife Sandra “Sandy” of Fremont; five grandchildren: Scott Nielsen and wife Naomi,
Sherry Arch and husband Rick, Spencer Nielsen and wife Melissa “Missy”, Keith Perry and wife Stacy, Sara Christiansen
and husband Anthony “Tony”; ten great grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and many friends. He was
preceded in death by his parents, Milo Sr. and Freda Perry; older sister, Iris Johnson; and twin sister, Margaret “June” Perry.
Donald O. Mohr, Jr., 87, of Ponca passed away on Saturday, January 10, 2015 at Unity Point St. Luke’s Hospital in Sioux City,
IA. Don was born in Sioux City, Iowa, on July 2, 1927, the son of Donald
O. Sr. and Selma Mohr. He grew up in Ponca and graduated from Ponca
High School in 1944. He attended Wayne State College, and received
his degree in Mortuary Science from California School of Science. He
married Marilyn Schultz on April 18, 1953, at Trinity Lutheran Church in
Martinsburg. The couple moved to Gardena, California. Don worked for
Northrup Aircraft and then United California Bank. They moved back to
Ponca in 1962, where they owned and operated Mohr Funeral Home until
his retirement in 1994. He received his 50 year pin as a funeral director
in the State of Nebraska in 2000.
Survivors include his wife of almost 62 years, Marilyn Mohr of Ponca, NE;
2 sons, Donald O. Mohr, III and his wife Diane of Ponca, and John Mohr
and his wife, Tricia of Odell, NE; 6 grandchildren, Donald O. Mohr, IV and
his wife, Aimee of Wellington, CO, Sarah Mohr of Ponca, NE, Candi and
her husband Randy Whitead of Sioux City, IA, Jeremy Mohr of Lincoln,
NE, and Peyton and Paxton Mohr of Odell, NE; 4 great-grandchildren,
Kaitlyn, Kysen, Hannah and Randall; and several nieces and nephews.
Don was preceded in death by his parents, Don and Selma Mohr; stepmother, Lura Mohr; and a sister and brother-in-law, Donna and Frank
DeLong
10
Obituaries
J. LeRoy Oakeson, age 96, of Lincoln died Sunday, January 25, 2015, at the Masonic Home in Plattsmouth.
He was born in Wolbach to Nels and Nanna (Johnson). He was a member of the First Evangelical Covenant Church, North Star
Lodge #227 AF&AM, Past Patron Myrtle Chapter #94 Order of the Eastern Star, Sesostris Shrine and the Shrine Greeters.
He served in the United States Army during WWII and was a member of American Legion Post #3 and VFW Post #3606.
LeRoy was a retired funeral director for Lincoln Memorial Funeral Home having helped open the funeral home in 1975.
He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Betty (Johnson) and sister Delores Gustafson. He is survived by his children
Janet (Robert, Sr.) Sides, Kent (Kathryn) Oakeson; grandchildren Robert (Noelle) Sides, Jr., Kelly (Brian) Graham, Jeffrey
(Stacy) Oakeson; and great grandchildren Peyton, Natalie, Emily, Hunter.
Board of Funeral Directing & Embalming
Arvid Wiest, Fox Funeral Home in Beatrice, has been selected to represent NeFDA on the Nebraska Board of
Funeral Directing and Embalming. He will serve a five-year term. The Board advises the Department of Health
and Human Services Regulation and Licensure on all issues related to the regulation of funeral directing and
embalming. For more information about the Board, please contact Rita Watson at (402) 471-2117 or by e-mail at
[email protected].
We wish to thank John Rice, Rice Funeral Home in Genoa, for his five years of service to the Nebraska Board of
Funeral Directing and Embalming. John will now be serving as Chairman of the Board.
Steve Brunken has also been serving on the board since 2012.
Arvid Wiest
Fox Funeral Home
Beatrice
Steven Brunken
Lincoln Memorial
Funeral Home
Lincoln
John Rice
Rice Funeral Home
Genoa
NeFDA Dues Reminder
NeFDA membership dues for 2015 were scheduled to renew
on December 31, 2014. Renewal letters and membership
forms were mailed in November.
If you have no paid your 2015 membership dues, please
contact the NeFDA office at (402) 761-2217 to complete
the renewal process. The 2015 members will be listed in
the upcoming 2015 NeFDA Directory which will be printed
in the spring. Also, please remember to submit an updated
photo to be included in the directory.
GRANT ROBINSON
(507) 283-9361
[email protected]
Tel:1-800-443-6343 ~ Fax:1-800-443-4034
www.dodgeco.com ~ https://shop.dodgeco.com
11
Zabka Funeral Home Celebrates 140 Years
Zabka Funeral Home in Seward celebrated 140 years of service on
Thursday, October 23 at the Junto Winery in Seward. Members of
Seward and surrounding communities attended along with fellow
funeral directors. Greg and Dixie Zabka and Brad and Jill Perdue
held the celebration in support of the children’s memorial being
built on Concordia University’s campus.
Brad and Jill Perdue and Dixie and Greg Zabka.
Junto Winery in Seward.
2014 District Meetings
The 2014 NeFDA Fall District Meetings were held in Scottsbluff, North Platte, Grand Island, Norfolk, Fremont and
York. A total of 80 members attended the meetings and received two hours of continued education credits. Members
received an update on NeFDA activities as well as presentations from Federated Insurance and Homesteaders
Life Company. Members also received a legislative update from Legislative Chairman Bill Lauber.
1-800-864-3492
Gerry and Greg Wright, both natives of Hebron, Nebraska
Wright Products - proudly serving funeral homes since 1987
12
Classifieds
FUNERAL DIRECTOR/EMBALMER POSITION AVAILABLE:
Meyer Brothers Funeral Homes in Sioux City is seeking a
licensed funeral director and embalmer to join our caring
team of professionals. We offer above average pay, fully
paid health and dental insurance, 401K plan, uniform
allowance, set schedule with paid vacation and personal
days off. Pay commensurate with experience. Contact:
Dale Meyer, 3220 Stone Park Blvd., Sioux City, Iowa 51104.
SHORT OR LONG TERM relief funeral director
AVAILABLE: Nebraska, Iowa, South Dakota and North
Dakota licensed funeral director available for relief coverage.
Take that long needed vacation with your family, enjoy
some time away or temporarily add another director during
peak times. Funeral Director Relief Services provides the
best professional service to you and your families allowing
you to enjoy time away knowing your facility is in good
hands. Very flexible schedule to accommodate your needs.
References available. Call Lee Bartlett at (605) 940-8777.
LICENSED FUNERAL DIRECTOR/EMBALMER: Lincoln
Memorial Funeral Home has an immediate opening for a
Licensed Funeral Director/Embalmer. Competitive salary
and benefits package available and the best rotating on call
schedule with nights, weekends and holidays in the state.
Come be a part of our team offering decades of unparalleled
service to our community. Interested individuals should
contact Tom Corn at Thomas.Corn2@Dignitymemorial.
com or call 402-423-1515 for more information.
APPRENTICE POSITION WANTED: My name is Molly
Hausmann and I am in my last semester of mortuary school
at Kansas City Kansas Community College. I plan to finish
my classes in May of 2015. As a recipient of the NeFDA
scholarship, I am required to work in Nebraska for at least
three years. I would like to honor this requirement by finding
an apprentice position in Nebraska. Please contact me
if you have any openings. My resume is available upon
request at the NeFDA office.
SEEKING EMPLOYMENT: May 2015 graduate of KCKCC
is looking for a position to complete internship and full
time employment in Nebraska. Already has six months
of internship completed. Please call Andrew Purcell at
(402) 910-8980. Resume is available upon request at
the NeFDA office.
Chuck Ziska
Classified ads involving the sale of equipment,
funeral homes, etc. are provided at a cost of $50
per newsletter for members. Non-members may
purchase an ad at $100 per newsletter. Student
and Apprentice ads are free. Payment and ad copy
must be received by the 20th of the month prior
to printing. Ads will run for only one issue unless
an extension is requested along with payment. If
you wish to place an ad, please email our office at
[email protected] or call (402) 761-2217. Payment
can be made via check or credit card.
Ads for employers seeking employees, or for
individuals seeking employment, are provided
as a complimentary service to NeFDA members
only.
No investigation of these employers/
employees has been made by NeFDA. The
printing of classified or employment ads should
not be deemed to constitute a recommendation or
endorsement by NeFDA.
13
2015 NeFDA Annual Convention
Plans are underway for the 2015 NeFDA Annual Convention, taking place May
5-7 at the Embassy Suites in Lincoln. So far we have an excellent lineup of
speakers. Susan Ann Koenig is an attorney turned executive coach, speaker
and writer. In Susan’s session, she will share on how she became the family
eulogist. Her experience in devising summaries of people’s lives drives her to
live life with acute awareness.
Kim Shelquist
Kim Shelquist from Homesteaders will return to
our convention in 2015 with a new presentation on
understanding and working with hospice organizations.
Ken Wittaker is also on the agenda and will provide two sessions. Ken previously
presented to our group at the 2006 Annual Convention. Ken is a licensed funeral
director and embalmer and founder, consultant, education director and sole
proprieter of Whittaker Funeral Support Services.
Ken Whittaker
The committee is excited to announce that the entertainment for the banquet will be T. Marni Vos, a
humorist from the Lincoln area. Marni has conducted funerals in the Lincoln area for people who wanted
a different way to remember their loved ones. Marni will also provide a session on Wednesday morning
titled, “Healer, Healing and Humor.”
Our current list of exhibitors include Bass-Mollett, Batesville, Vance
Creek Woodworks, Keith Merrick, Artco Casket, CFL Pre-Need, Des
Moines Area Community College and Federated Insurance. If you
or a company you work with would like to register as an exhibitor,
please contact the NeFDA office.
We look forward to seeing everyone in Lincoln in May!
T. Marni Vos
NeFDA Fundraiser
Nebraska Funeral Directors Association is sponsoring a fund raising project that has the incredible
opportunity of raising nearly $10,000. NeFDA has commissioned A & A Engraving of Rapid City, South
Dakota, to produce up to 11 numbered commemorative collectors rifles, reflecting Nebraska’s funeral
history engraved onto each of them.
Each rifle will be created on a per order basis with a delivery time of 8 to 12 weeks. The rifles will be
individually numbered, 1 through 10 plus the proof. The purchaser may select any number they wish,
provided it has not been spoken for. The rifles are finished in 24 ct gold, antique gold, antique nickel, high
gloss nickel and black for a 5 tone finish. The price of
this collector’s rifle is $2,995 plus $56 shipping. Sales
tax will be added where applicable. NeFDA will receive
a royalty on each rifle purchased.
This is a very limited edition and there will never be
more than 11 of these collectors rifles produced. If you
are interested on owning one of these rifles contact
Tim Anderson 218-261-0700 or e-mail timanderson@
arvig.net.
Historically these commemorative rifles sell quickly
due to the limited number available. As such, they are
sold on a first come basis.
14
2014-2015 Officers & Board of Directors
Gary Straatmann, President
O’Brien-Straatmann-Redinger Funeral Home
4115 Avenue N, Kearney, NE 68848
P: (308) 234-3500; F: (308) 234-3921
[email protected]
District 4: Scot DeWitt
Lincoln Family Funeral Care
5844 Fremont Street, Lincoln, NE 68507
P: (402) 464-6400; F: (402) 464-6446
[email protected]
District 4: Kenneth Vogel
Hutchins Funeral Home
1402 M Street, Franklin, NE 68939
P: (308) 425-6872; F: (308) 425-3049
[email protected]
Tim Strauser, President Elect
Blase`-Strauser Memorial Chapel
620 Tenth St., Gothenburg, NE 69138
P: (308) 537-2313; F: (308) 537-7887
[email protected]
District 5: Stefanie Sawyer
Jolliffe Funeral Home
2104 Broadway, Scottsbluff, NE 69361
P: (308) 632-2121; F: (308) 635-1642
[email protected]
District 5: Paula Bondegard
Holechek Funeral Homes, Inc.
212 W. Avenue D, Oshkosh, NE 69154
P: (308) 772-3663; F: (308) 772-3821
[email protected]
Jim Wintz, Treasurer
Wintz Funeral Home
203 W. Franklin St., Hartington, NE 68739
P: (402) 254-6547; F: (402) 254-6578
[email protected]
District 7: Jason Tickle
Berryman Funeral Home
620 E. 22nd St., Cozad, NE 69130
P: (308) 784-3000; F: (308) 784-3001
[email protected]
District 7: Tim Daum
Blase`-Strauser Memorial Chapel
620 Tenth St., Gothenburg, NE 69138
P: (308) 537-2313; F: (308) 537-7887
[email protected]
Bradley Perdue, Secretary
Zabka Funeral Home
410 Jackson Street, Seward, NE 68434
P: (402) 643-2924
[email protected]
District 8: Mitch Solt
Solt Funeral Home
1507 17th Street
P: (308) 946-3095; F: (308) 946-5810
[email protected]
District 8: Kenny Howland
Higby-McQuiston Mortuary
1404 L Street, Aurora, NE 68818
P: (402) 694-2199
[email protected]
Vaughn Wright, Past President
Harman-Wright Mortuary
623 Elk St., Beatrice, NE 68310
P: (402) 223-2341; F: (402) 223-2342
vaughn @harmanwrightmortuary.com
NFDA Policy Board Representative
Jon Reichmuth
Reichmuth Funeral Home
21901 W. Maple Rd., Elkhorn, NE 68022
P: (402) 289-2222; F: (402) 289-2223
[email protected]
DISTRICT DIRECTORS/PRESIDENTS
District 1: William Cutler IV
Heafey-Heafey-Hoffman-Dworak Cutler FH
7805 West Center Rd., Omaha, NE 68124
P: (402) 391-3900
[email protected]
District 2: Misty Brestel
Metz Mortuary
109 S. Lincoln Ave., York, NE 68467
P: (402) 362-3354; F: (402) 362-2966
[email protected]
District 3: Tray Van Metre
Brockhaus Funeral Home
824 Main St., Creighton, NE 68729
P: (402) 358-3236; F: (402) 358-3237
[email protected]
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Kathi Schildt
521 First Street, PO Box 10,
Milford, NE 68405
P: (402) 761-2217; F: (402) 761-2224
[email protected]
DISTRICT VICE PRESIDENTS
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR
District 1: Brian Kruse
Braman Mortuary
1702 North 72nd Street, Omaha, NE 68114
P: (402) 391-2171
[email protected]
Tiffany Fougeron
521 First Street, PO Box 10,
Milford, NE 68405
P: (402) 761-2217; F: (402) 761-2224
[email protected]
District 2: Chris Loecker
Lincoln Memorial Funeral Home
6800 South 14th St., Lincoln, NE 68512
P: (402) 423-1515
[email protected]
District 3: Ryan Berg
Biglin’s Mortuary, Inc.
111 North Third St., O’Neill, NE 68763
P: (402) 336-2360; F: (402) 336-2061
[email protected]
NeFDA Around the State
articles by NeFDA
Nebraska Funeral Directors Association, Inc.
521 First Street, PO Box 10, Milford, NE 68405, Phone (402) 761-2217, Fax (402) 761-2224
Enail: staff @nefda.org Website: www.nefda.org
DISCLAIMER. Portions of this newsletter are
taken from other sources that we believe to be
reliable. However, the NeFDA Newsletter is not
meant to provide a complete or authoritative
statement on the subject discussed. The services
of an attorney or accountant should be sought in
legal and tax matters.
15
521 First Street - PO Box 10
Milford, NE 68405
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 402-761-2217
www.nefda.org
Member: $115Non-Member: $200
Member: $40 Non-Member: $50
E-mail: [email protected] • Phone: (402) 761-2217
(In duplicate - 25 per package)
•Cremation Delivery Receipt Forms
•Revocable Trust Forms (25 per package)
•Irrevocable Trust Forms (25 per package)
NEFDA Forms
16
Prsrt Std
U.S. Postage
PAID
Lincoln, NE
Permit No. 1359