In Memoriam

We honor the amazing lives of our Midland alumni, faculty and staff. To notify us of a death of a classmate or family member, please email alumni@midlandu.edu or call 402-941-6055.

Memorial Gifts

Gifts made in memory of a family member, teacher, student or friend are generous and thoughtful ways to remember a person's life and accomplishments. When making a gift in memory of someone, please send your gift with a note specifying the honoree's name and address and/or contact information so we can send a notification that a gift has been made.

Please send memorial gifts to: Midland University, ATTN: Institutional Advancement, 900 N. Clarkson, Fremont, NE 68025, or make a gift online.

Mary Janet Torrens

Friday, November 3, 2017

Mary Janet (Fenstermacher) Torrens, 97 years, of Fremont passed away Thursday, Nov. 2, 2017, at Dunklau Gardens in Fremont. Mary Janet was born April 24, 1920, in Saunders County to Irvin and Irene (Loudon) Fenstermacher. Her father died of a chronic illness when she was 5 years old, and her mother...

Leila Hope (Kennedy) Johnson '43

Thursday, October 26, 2017

Johnson, Leila Hope (Kennedy) Aug 6, 1921 - Oct 23, 2017 Hope was born to Willard Kennedy and Charlotte (Larson) Kennedy at home near Craig, NE. She had two siblings, James (Jim) and Nonie. Hope graduated from Craig High School in 1939. Hope graduated Cum Laude from Midland College in Fremont, NE...

Martha Irene Sundberg

Thursday, October 26, 2017

Martha Irene Sundberg, 94, passed away Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2017, at Annie Jeffrey Health Center. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Calvary Lutheran Church in Swede Home, with Pastor Kimberly Belken officiating. Interment will be in Swede Home Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m...

Gary Freeman '59

Wednesday, October 25, 2017

Gary Lee Freeman passed away on Oct. 9, 2017, in his wife’s loving embrace; his three children were with him in spirit and prayer. He was 82, a resident of Fremont. Gary was born Aug. 10, 1935, to Garland and Leona Freeman. After graduating from Fremont High School at 16, he attended Wesleyan...

Byron Swanson

Tuesday, October 24, 2017

Born on Earth Day, April 22, 1930 in Omaha, Nebraska, Byron Ralph Swanson was an enthusiastic environmentalist way before his time! He spent his life recycling, composting, saving water and picking up trash - and the world is a more beautiful place because of his care and compassion for the earth!...

Donald C. Watchorn

Monday, October 23, 2017

Watchorn, Donald C. Age 91 - Oct 20, 2017 Fremont, NE. Passed away peacefully surrounded by family and friends. Don was preceded in death by his wife, Joan; parents, Walter and Pearl; 2 brothers; and 2 sisters. Don is survived by his daughter, Carolee and son-in-law Patrick Cronin, Fremont;...

Fredericka M. “Fritzie” Nelson '48

Friday, October 20, 2017

Fredericka M. “Fritzie” Nelson, age 90, of Marion, passed away on Saturday, October 14, 2017 at Marion General Hospital. On December 26, 1926, she was born to the late Cleveland H. and Louise A. (Wendt) Johannes, and on June 20, 1948, she married her husband Alden Nelson, who preceded her in death...

Harold E. Meyer '72

Thursday, October 19, 2017

Harold E. Meyer was born on September 28, 1949 in Oakland, Nebraska to Kermit and Grace Meyer. He was one of three sons in the Meyer family. Harold was baptized and confirmed at Elim Lutheran Church— Swaburg, southeast of Uehling, Neb. He graduated from Uehling High School and Midland Lutheran...

Blondell M. Meyer

Monday, October 16, 2017

OAKLAND -- Blondell M. Meyer, 90 years, of Oakland passed away Saturday, Oct. 14, 2017 in Oakland. She was born Dec. 17, 1926, in Hooper to Clyde and Ella (Lackus) Morton. She was a graduate of Hooper High School and attended Midland College. She married John Omelianuk in 1945 in Oakland, Calif. In...

Kenneth Gigstad

Thursday, October 12, 2017

Kenneth Gigstad, 74, of Blair, Nebraska, died Wednesday, October 11, 2017, at the Memorial Community Hospital in Blair. The funeral service will be Saturday, October 14, 11:00 A.M. at the First Lutheran Church in Blair with Pastor Pam Ciulla officiating. Visitation will be from 10:00 – 11:00 A.M...