7/25/1922 – 2/8/2019

Irma Ann Kresl was born July 25, 1922 in Dodge, Nebraska, to Ludvig Kresl and Anna Chudomelka Kresl.  Her grandparents were Stepan and Anna Kresl, and Frank and Anna Chudomelka.  Her great-grandparents were Frantisek and Eva Janecek Chudomelka, who came to Dodge from Bohemia in 1871.

Irma had two brothers, Leon and John. At an early age Irma and her cousin Florence Mlnarik claimed each other as “sisters”, a lifelong bond.

Irma attended St. Wenceslaus grade school and graduated from Dodge High School.  Irma and her good friend Irene went to Omaha to find work.  After Leon graduated from Dodge High School, their mother moved to Omaha with their younger brother John.  After a time Irma and Leon got her settled in a house on Grand Avenue.

Irma met Ken Sanford who had purchased the house next door on Grand Avenue for his parents.  They were married May 13, 1950. They bought a house nearby, on 24^th and Meredith.  Here three children were born:  Mary Ann in 1951, Kenneth Charles in 1953, and James in 1954.

About 1956, Ken and his older brother Chuck rented a farm near Leshara Nebraska, and both families moved there.  Rita Jean was born during this time, in 1957.

After a year, Irma and Ken rented a farm near Lindsay, Nebraska.  There, in 1958, John David was born.

The family returned to Omaha in 1962 and settled into a house in the Minne Lusa area.  Irma and Ken were both concerned with John, who had autism and cerebral palsy among other health problems.  They both attended meetings at the state and local level and advocated for education and vocational training.  Irma was there during the growth of GOARC (now The Ollie Webb Center) and ENCOR.  She came to know many of the wonderful people who taught and worked with John.

Irma retired from Teamsters Local 554 at 62.  She took care of John until he died in 1995.

As busy as life kept her, her focus was her family.  Children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren – she loved us and let us know that she lived for us.  She was proud of her ‘big bunch’ of family.  She opened her heart to her grandkids’ spouses, and their parents and siblings.  She stretched her definition of ‘family’ as far as necessary to include all the important people in her life.  We learned so much from her.  We won’t forget.

Preceded in death by son John David, brother Leon, younger sister Marcella, brother John, “sister” Florence, and parents.

Survived by Ken and Mary Claire Sanford, Rita Sanford, Mary Wood and James Sanford.

13 Grandchildren – 19 Great-grandchildren – 2 Great-great-grandchildren.

Visitation Tuesday, February 19, 2019 from 5:00 – 7:00 PM with Rosary at 7:00 PM at Roeder Mortuary, 108th Street Chapel; Funeral Mass 11:00 AM Wednesday, February 20, 2019 at Holy Name Catholic Church 2901 Fontenelle Blvd. Omaha, Nebraska; Interment Calvary Cemetery Omaha, Nebraska.

In Lieu of Flowers Memorials can be made to Holy Name Catholic Church or House of Hope.

Roeder Mortuary, Inc. – 108th Street Chapel; 2727 N 108th St – Omaha, NE – 402-496-9000; www.RoederMortuary.com

6/5/1933 – 2/11/2019

Phyllis Nilius went to be with her Lord and Savior on Monday, February 11, 2019. Funeral Services will be held at 10:30am on Friday, February 15, 2019 at Westwood Heights Baptist Church, Omaha. Visitation will be prior to the Service on Friday from 9:00am to 10:30am at the church.

Phyllis was born in Sioux Falls, SD.  She lived the first 10 years of her life in Brookings, SD and then moved to Omaha where she remained the rest of her life.  She graduated from Tech High School in Omaha.

Phyllis met her husband to be, Chuck Nilius, at a church youth group outing and they were married on June 15,^, 1951.

Phyllis worked at home being a housewife and mother and also kept the books for Nilius Builders for over 30 years.

Chuck and Phyllis had four boys, Charles III (Skip), Larry, Tim, and Jeff.  They made it a priority to travel with their family even as the “boys” got older and had their own families.  Every other year they would all take a trip together, usually to Estes Park, Colorado spending time enjoying the beauty of God’s creation.

Chuck & Phyllis were both avid Husker fans.  Both loved football and Phyllis especially loved volleyball. They purchased Football season tickets with a family friend in 1962 and the family still has the same tickets/seats to this day.  Go Big Red!!

Phyllis will be missed by her children Skip (Kathy), Larry (Cindy), Tim (Twila), Jeff (Sandy), 11 grandchildren, and 23 great-grandchildren plus one on the way. Phyllis loved her Lord and dedicated her life to serving Christ. Memorials to Omaha Christian Academy and Faith Baptist Bible College. Condolences may be expressed at www.roedermortuary.com

Oct 21, 1930 – Feb 8, 2019

Illa J. Cooper, A.K.A. “Nana” Oct 21, 1930 – Feb 8, 2019. Omaha, NE. She is preceded in death by her parents, Frank & Fannie Connerly, the love of her life, husband Frederick Cooper, sister Mallie Freeman, brothers Alfred, Frank Jr, and Calvin Connerly, her one and only loving daughter Denise R. Baker, son-in-law Leroy S. Baker, Sr., nieces Willena Webb and Sherry Elliott, nephew Willie Freeman, great-nephews Jamar Fields and Micheal Morris.

Illa was surrounded with love by her family when she departed her life on Friday, February 8, 2019, at 3:08 a.m., at Immanuel Fontenelle Nursing Home. She leaves to cherish her many loving memories to her four grandchildren, Michelle (Tony), Leroy Jr, Brian Sr. (Kisha), and Andre. Five Great- Grandchildren Alex, Jeremy, Brianna, Brian Jr, Donte’, two great- great grandchildren Kamarra, and Iviona. Niece Valerie (Ed) Darwin and Nephew Allen Connerly. Special thanks to Nena Nelson for being her caregiver for many years.

In-laws of North Carolina: Charles (Bernell) Cooper, Neal Cooper, Shirley Cooper, Gregory (Vanvella) Cooper, JoAnn Graves, Clyde (Annie) Johnson, Allene Galbreath, Cynthia Cooper, James (Edna B) Cooper

And a host of great-nieces, great-nephews, extended grandchildren, extended great-grandchildren, other relatives and special friends

Wake: Friday, February 15th 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.

Service: Saturday, 10:00 a.m., Feb. 16th, 2019

Roeder Mortuary – 4932 Ames Ave., Omaha NE

Repass: Lothrop Social Hall – 3232 N. 24th St., Omaha, NE

Interment: Mt. Hope Cemetery

3/12/1928 – 2/10/2019
Omaha – Preceded in death by wife Mary, granddaughter Remebrance Dowd. Survived by children John E (Sherrie), Jane (Kevin) Dowd, Jim (Nadyne), 10 grandchildren, sisters Beulah Lane, Margaret Hankle, Marjorie Sly, nieces, nephews, family and friends.

Visitation Wednesday 5-7 PM at Roeder Mortuary 2727 N 108th Street Omaha, NE. Graveside Service Thursday (2/14/19) 2:00 PM at Hillcrest Memorial Park Omaha, NE. Memorials to Crosspoint Bible Church or Benson VFW 2503.

Roeder Mortuary 2727 N 108th St. Omaha 402-496-9000