Benjamin Neuenschwander

Benjamin Neuenschwander, age 77, of Culbertson, Nebraska passed away Thursday, November 22, 2012, at Bryan LGH Medical Center in Lincoln, NE.

Ben was born on February 14, 1935 in Sugar Creek Township, Ohio to Amos A. and Lavina Celesta (Amstutz) Neuenschwander. He graduated from Geneva High School in 1952 before continuing his education at Fort Wayne Bible College in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He then worked at Salem Children's Home until moving to Nebraska in 1960.

Ben married Joyce Rousselle on August 1, 1955 at Eden Missionary Church, in rural Wauneta, NE. Together they raised their three daughters. Ben was a carpenter in the area for many years, operating his own business, Ben's Carpentry. He also taught carpentry classes in the community. Ben delivered the McCook Gazette to area residents for eleven years. Ben also served as a member of the Culbertson School Board for 12 years.

He was a member of the Evangelical Free Church in McCook. Many Sundays Ben would greet church goers with a smile and a warm hand shake as they arrived for church. In his spare time, Ben enjoyed woodworking, watching sports, playing games and telling jokes with family and friends. He also enjoyed meeting often with his friends for coffee time.

Ben was preceded in death by his parents; wife Joyce; father and mother-in-law Edward and Esther Rousselle, three brothers Ellis, Wilbert and Joe; and son-in-law Alan Harms.

Survivors include three daughters, Sandy Harms of Hayes Center, NE, Celesta and husband, John Rhodes of Riley Township, MI and Sonja Greene of Sacramento, CA; two brothers Lloyd and wife Carol Neuenschwander of Berne, IN, Denver and wife Bert Neuenschwander of Geneva, IN; two sisters, Estelle Nussbaum of Berne, IN and Lorene and husband Dwight Brenneman of Lancaster, PA; sister-in laws, Iola and husband, Don Egle, of Bella Vista, AR, Ruby Neuenschwander and Marieda Neuenschwander both of Berne, IN; six grandchildren, Jody Greene-Warren and husband, Aaron, Jarrad Greene, Benjamin Rhodes, Zachary Rhodes, Aimee Hazlitt and husband, Mitch, and Drew Harms; son-in-law Jeff Greene; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, his E-Free church family and many dear friends.