Edwin J. Fuchtman

Edwin Fuchtman, age 95 of Hartington, Nebraska died on Monday, January 22, 2018 at the Hartington Care and Rehabilitation Center. Mass of Christian Burial will be on Saturday, January 27, 2018 at 10:30 a.m. at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Hartington with the Rev. Owen Korte officiating. Burial will be at St. Michael’s Cemetery in Hartington. Visitation will be on Friday, at church, from 5-8:00 p.m. with a Vigil Service at 6:30 p.m. Visitation will continue on Saturday one hour prior to services. Arrangements are under the direction of the Wintz Funeral Home in Hartington. Pallbearers will be Corey Thieman, Chris Thieman, Justin Kathol, Scott Fuchtman, Jay Fuchtman, and Dale Fuchtman. Edwin James Fuchtman was born on February 10, 1922 in Creighton, Nebraska to Joseph and Clara (Schula) Fuchtman. He grew up in Creighton and graduated from St. Ludger High School in Creighton in 1940. Ed served in the U.S. Army during World War II under General George Patton from December 1944 to June 1947 with the 12th Armored Division in the European Theatre in England, France, Germany, and Austria. He received an Honorable Discharge as a Sgt. and received the Purple Heart, Bronze Star, Combat Infantry Badge and various others. After his discharge in 1947, Ed started working for the United States Soil Conservation Service in Clay Center, Nebraska and then transferred to Hartington in 1948. He married Theresa Schrad of Randolph on April 18, 1950 at St. Francis Church in Randolph. Ed and Theresa resided in Hartington and raised three children there. Ed was a member of the Holy Trinity Catholic Church, served on the Parish Council as President for a few years. He had an hour of perpetual adoration for many years and was a member of the Ministry of Praise. He was a lifetime Knights of Columbus member and member of the Hartington VFW Post #5283. Ed served as Commander and was a member of the Honor Guard Squad for over 50 years. Ed was on the Hartington Volunteer Fire Department for 26 years and served as President for several years. He served on the Hartington Planning Committee and retired from the Soil Conservation Service after 35 years. Ed then began working part-time for the Wintz Funeral Home for many years. After retirement, Ed enjoyed many years of good health. He liked doing yard work and golfing with Theresa and with his golfing buddies. He and Theresa belonged to several card clubs, playing bridge and sheephead. Ed enjoyed watching all sports, especially baseball. He and Theresa travelled on vacations around the country with their children and grandchildren. He enjoyed sitting on the front porch of their home, with Theresa, watching the neighborhood activities. In 2015 Ed moved to the Hartington Nursing Home. He participated in many activities there with other longtime Hartington residents. Weekly bingo was his favorite. Ed is survived by his wife Theresa of 67 years; three children and spouses Patricia and Larry Thieman of Emerson, NE, Kenneth & Joanie Fuchtman of Omaha, NE, Mary & Ed Alexander of Omaha, NE; three grandsons Corey (Aysha) Thieman, Chris (Morgan) Thieman, Justin (Angie) Kathol; two granddaughters Shannon (Chris) Bozzuto, Nichole Kathol & Ryan Weaver, great grandchildren David, Gavin & Zavier Thieman, Owen Kathol, Soren Bozzuto, Vaida & Solia Bozzuto, Meryl Kathol; three sisters Margaret Focht of Lewiston, Idaho, Florence Hasenpflug of Phoenix, AZ, Sr. Kathleen OSF of Milwaukee, WI; one brother Joseph Fuchtman of Creighton, NE; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, infant brother, two sisters Frances & Edna; four brothers Leonard, Walt, Willard, Ray; son-in-law Michael Swanson. In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials to Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Hartington, NE.