Ewald Emil Werschke

Ewald Emil Werschke formally of Palisade, died Tuesday, April 28, 2009 at the Good Samaritan Center in Syracuse. He was 89 years old.

He was born March 6, 1920 in Enders to Theodore L. and Matilda (Schultz) Werschke.

Ewald entered the US Army on July 16, 1941. He served during World War II, receiving the American Defense Service Medal, American Service Medal, Asiatic Pacific Medal, Philippine Liberation Ribbon, World War II Victory Medal and Good Conduct Medal before his honorable discharge on November 21, 1945.

On December 5, 1945, he married Elsie M. Schamel in Oberlin, KS. To this union three children were born. They located the family to the Palisade community in 1952, where Ewald worked for local farmers and ranchers. He later became the manager of Hopkins Elevator's and worked there until his retirement. In 2003, he moved to Syracuse to be closer to family.

He was a member of the Palisade United Methodist Church, Palisade American Legion and Veteran's of Foreign Wars. He loved reading, tinkering in his shop, and spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren

He was preceded in death by his parents, Theodore and Matilda Werschke; his wife, Elsie Werschke on June 23, 1996; three brothers and four sisters.

He is survived by his son, Gary Werschke and wife, Annette, of Lincoln; two daughters, Linda Neiman and husband, Larry, of Fairmont and Dianne Bechtold of Syracuse; six grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren with one more coming in July.

Memorials were to be given in his name to the Palisade Veteran's Memorial or Palisade Rescue Squad.

Funeral services were Thursday, April 30, 2009, 2:00 p.m. at the Palisade United Methodist Church with Rev. Judy Dye officiating. Burial took place in the Palisade Cemetery.

Carpenter Breland Funeral Home of McCook was in charge of the arrangements.