Melva Gohl

Melva Audrey Gohl, age 94, of Culbertson, Nebraska passed Wednesday, March 4, 2015 at Kearney Regional Medical Center in Kearney, Nebraska.

Melva was born May 4, 1920 on the family farm north of Culbertson to parents Fred B. and Mary (Dewerff) Korell. She was one of three children. Melva attended school in Hayes Center, Nebraska graduating with the class of 1937. She then went on to obtain her Teacher’s Certificate from Kearney State College.

Melva taught school at several country schools in the Culbertson area before marrying William (Wiggy) Gohl on January 27, 1946. In 1949, the couple bought their farm north of Culbertson where they proudly raised their four sons, Jerry, Tom, Rick and Russell. Melva helped Wiggy on the farm, and loved being a homemaker. She enjoyed embroidery work and gardening, and was known for her cherry pies.

Melva was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church, American Legion Auxiliary Post #133, the VFW Auxiliary Post #6219, and the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League. She was also a hospital volunteer, a member of the Red Hatters, the Sunny Hills Stitcher’s Club and the Hayes County Historical Society.

Melva deeply loved her grandchildren and great grandchildren, attending as many of their school and sporting events as possible. Melva and Wiggy were honored to receive the Nebraska Pioneer Farm Award presented by the Knights of Ak-Sar-Ben and ConAgra in 1995. Melva continued to live on the farm that she loved until her passing.

Melva was preceded in death by her husband, William Gohl in 1992; parents, Fred and Mary Korell; one son, Russell Gohl; and two sisters, Ina (Amos) Wagner and Viola (Oren) Wagner.

Melva is survived by her sons, Jerry (Diane) Gohl of McCook, Tom (Vickie) Gohl of Culbertson and Rick (Bobbie) Gohl of Culbertson; daughter in law Patty Gohl of Culbertson; grandchildren Brenda (Ryan) Khoury, Angela (Alex) Lynch, Neil (Sarah) Gohl, Jason (Laura) Gohl, Scott (Kim) Gohl, Skip Gohl, Mary (Brian) Wilson, Matthew Gohl and fiancé Blair Dixon, and Seth Gohl; great grandchildren William and Hunter Khoury, Avery Lynch, Wyatt Gohl and Clayton Gohl; as well as numerous nieces, nephews and extended family members.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, March 8, 2015 at Carpenter Breland Funeral Home in McCook from 4 to 8 PM. The Gohl family will be present to greet friends from 4 to 6 PM.

A funeral service will be held on Monday, March 9, 2015, 11:00 AM, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Culbertson with Pastor Bradley Rick officiating.

Burial will follow the funeral service in the Culbertson Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be designated to St. John’s Lutheran Church, 712 Colorado Ave, Culbertson, NE 69024 or the Hayes Center Senior Center 509 Tate Street, Hayes Center, NE 69032.