Edward William Ohm

Edward William Ohm was born to George F. Ohm and Mary (Behrens) Ohm in rural Yutan, Nebraska on September 1, 1915. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Yutan. He was the fourth child in the family of three boys and three girls. Two other brothers died at a young age. Eddie attended Rural School District 8 near Yutan and graduated 8th grade, after which the Depression years made it impossible for him to continue his education. Instead, Ed’s serving spirit was exemplified as he worked long days for farmers, to help support his family. His first job was plowing by hand, and he did not have a pair of shoes for his feet, so he walked behind the plow barefoot. When he had earned enough, he bought himself a pair of shoes. Eddie worked at many jobs, feeding baby chicks, helping farmers plant in spite of a lack of equipment, and milking cows. Ed grew up in a musical family, in which he and his brothers and sisters joined his parents playing for barn dances, birthdays and special occasions. Eddie loved playing the accordion but could play other instruments, including drums. Eventually he was able to master eight different instruments, all by ear because there was no extra money for lessons. He would play accordion jobs and receive a hamburger or a quarter as payment. Eddie’s employment in the 30’s included driving spikes on the Union Pacific Railroad to Colorado, and also as a delivery driver for milk and pop routes. He later returned to doing farm work for farmers in the Elkhorn area, and then drove oil trucks. For entertainment, social dances were popular and there he met his future wife, Leola Kunneman. They married on July 20, 1940, and to this union were born three children: Carmen, Douglas and Ardeth. In December, 1942, Ed received his draft notice, and on January 7, 1943, he began serving in the 75th Infantry Division of the US Army. He served in the European Theatre and fought in the Battle of the Bulge and the Battle of the Ardennes. His job was to take the heavy artillery to the front lines. He marched his way across France, Belgium, Holland, and finally into Germany. He was honorably discharged on January 4, 1946. After returning to Elkhorn from the war, Eddie purchased the hardware store on Main Street, followed by the purchase of Elkhorn Propane Gas Company, and in the early 1960s he owned Elkhorn Feed and Grain, at the south end of Main Street in Elkhorn. Ed and Leola were owners of three Elkhorn businesses over the course of twenty-five years, working long days and meeting many people. Music remained a passion for them while Eddie played drums with many bands on the weekends. They both loved to dance and were very accomplished. Main Street in Elkhorn, Nebraska was a very important place in Eddie’s life and that of his family from 1940, when he and Leola had their first apartment above Klebe's Barbershop. The family home remains a few blocks north on Main, where the Ohm family has resided all these years. Eddie built the current Ohm home for his family in 1952, with Eddie residing there until 2012. During those working years, Ed continued to play dance jobs on the weekends. Horses also became a passion for Eddie, and he was the leader of a local 4-H Horse Club. There were many events at state and county fairs, plus horse shows and trail rides to the Sand Hills. He sold the horses in 1972. In “retirement” Eddie still found ways to help others and did farm work, built fences and did many other odd jobs for farmers. He instigated a recycling effort in the Elkhorn area, diligently working to pick up all he could from businesses and restaurants. Also, with his tractor he managed to clear snow from driveways and sidewalks for anyone he could help. He loved the outdoors and found great satisfaction whenever he could find an opportunity to connect with the land. He even decided he needed a part-time job at Arby's in Elkhorn, where he worked until age 85. His work ethic was unrivaled and he always gave 110%, and was always willing to lend a hand. He and Leola were members of Bethany Lutheran Church for all their married years, serving on many committees and in several leadership positions. They also in later years had dual membership both at Bethany and St. Mark's Lutheran in Valley. Patriotism was a very strong characteristic of Eddie’s, as he truly loved his country for which he fought. He was a sixty-year member of the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the local F.O.E. and was the Commander of the Elkhorn Legion unit for many years. It was a great honor for Eddie, with Leola beside him, to attend the WWII Memorial Dedication in Washington, D.C. in 2004. A highlight of his life was to join many other WWII veterans in 2008, on the inaugural flight in Nebraska, called Honor Flight. In the last few years, Eddie took great joy in sharing his stories of WWII with civic groups, in schoolroom settings and for his family to record. Younger generations can continue to hear and appreciate Edward Ohm's story and that of other veterans, at the Strategic Air and Space Museum in Ashland, NE, at one of the interactive exhibits there. Ed and Leola enjoyed over 70 years of marriage and lived every day to the fullest, again serving and assisting wherever they could. Eddie's musical abilities took him to nursing homes, assisted livings, hospitals and open houses for birthdays and anniversaries, to bring happy smiles to all who listened to his music. He often performed as a “One Man Band” singing, along with playing drums, accordion and high hat, all going at once. Ed, with Leola’s ever-present assistance, provided musical offerings that energized them both. They made many friends, looking forward to their monthly visits. Ed played as many as 19 gigs in one month, even at age 92! Ed became daily caretaker/companion to Leola from 2007-2011, as she was in LCC in Elkhorn following her stroke. The dedication of his twelve-hour days / seven days a week vigil for his wife was truly admirable. When Leola passed away in May of 2011 he was indeed lost, and his health began to decline. He moved to Arbor Manor Living Center in Fremont in early 2012. Eddie has lived an enormously full life to the age of 98 with loving family and friends still showing concern until his death. He is survived by his son, Douglas & wife Helen Ohm of Elkhorn, two daughters, Carmen & husband Denny Dau of Elkhorn, and Ardeth & husband Bob Moser of Lafayette, IN.; also by nine grandchildren: Jill (Jeff) Richmond, Todd (Stacie) Dau, Rebecca (Clay) Sheets, Preston (Sheena) Dau, Laura (Rob) Vitera, Emily (Ben) Brachle, Catherine Ohm, Austin Elsberry & Jordan Elsberry. He has sixteen great grandchildren: Jessie & Jacob Richmond, Payton & Ashlyn Dau, Taylor McLaughlin, Maleah, Aubrynn & Taryn Sheets, Easton Dau, Lillian, R. J., & Isaac Vitera, and Luke, Gabe, Andrew & Clare Brachle, Eddie's two sisters, Irene Purcell of Newcastle, CA, and Rosella Snelling of Wahoo, NE, along with many nephews and nieces who remember him fondly. He was preceded in death by loving wife, Leola (2011), his parents, four brothers, Edgar, Herman, Hank & Ben, and one sister, Viola Witte.

Edward William Ohm

September 1, 1915 - September 13, 2013