FREDERICK, EDWARD J

OF GRETNA

MAY 25, 1926—FEBRUARY 6, 2021

Ed Frederick was born, raised, and spent his entire life in Gretna.  Ed’s dedication to the community he loved and served made him a historical legend, an icon who helped shape Gretna. Ed demonstrated his love for his fellow Gretna citizens in how he lived serving his community.  The following are just a few examples of his service.

Ed began his service to his Gretna neighbors in 1949 by joining the Gretna Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department where he served for 33 years.  During his time of service on the fire department he was both Assistant Fire Chief and Fire Chief.

In 1954 and 1955 Ed served as Mayor.  He additionally served the City as City Clerk and held a seat on the City Council for several years.  Ed was President of the Gretna Civic Organization and an active member of the Gretna Optimist Club as well as a founding member of the Gretna Area Development Corporation

An interesting fact of Ed’s service was that in 1954 he served as both Mayor and Chief of the Gretna Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department.

One of his most popular contributions to help shape Gretna was his role as co-founder of Gretna Days, which remains one of Gretna’s most popular community events.

Ed was Citizen Of The Year twice, once in 1982 and again in 1995.

In 1949, Ed and his brother Don Frederick formed a business relationship, a partnership of service to the Gretna Community with the opening of Frederick Brothers Grocery Store.  In 1965 the opened Gretna Bowl and Lounge and in 1979 built Village Square, which remains a center of Gretna commerce today.

Ed’s greatest accomplishment was his self-sacrificing love for his family, which extended beyond his wife Phyllis, the love of his life and the three sons, Michael, Mark and Larry, that their love produced.

Ed was always a good neighbor and friend, a true gentleman who was known as quite a character for his humor and love of fun, shared with all he knew.  Ed was a blessing to all who knew him, the kind of man you instantly fell in love with.

Gretna is a better place today because of Ed Frederick

PRECEDED IN DEATH BY HIS BELOVED WIFE PHYLLIS AND SON LARRY.

SURVIVED BY SONS MICHAEL (MEL), MARK (DEB): AND DAUGHTER IN LAW MARGARET: AND RICHLY BLESSED WITH MANY, MANY GRANDCHILDREN, GREAT-GRANDCHILDREN, GREAT-GREAT GRANDCHILDREN, NIECES AND NEPHEWS WHOM HE LOVED DEARLY.

VISITATION WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10 FROM 5:00 PM TO 7:00 PM AT SAINT PATRICKS CATHOLIC CHURCH, 508 WEST ANGUS STREET, GRETNA NE.

FUNERAL SERVICE THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 11 AT 10:00 AM AT SAINT PARTICKS CATHOLIC CHURCH.

INTERMENT WITH BE A PRIVATE FAMILY SERVICE AT HOLY SEPULCHRE CEMETERY.

FAMILY PREFERS MEMORIALS TO SAINT PATRICKS CATHOLIC CHURCH OR THE GRETNA VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT.

 

Roeder Mortuary – Gretna Chapel

11710 Standing Stone Gretna, NE 402-332-0090

www.roedermortuary.com

On the day she passed away, wouldn’t you know it, Leella left behind a brilliant double rainbow that arched across the Southern California sky. That was Leella, a beautiful array of celestial light.

On January 29, 2021, Leella Clarice Payne passed peacefully in her sleep after a long illness. She was 80.  Born August 1, 1940, she was one of eight children of Albin and Leella Simmons.

A lifelong Omahan, Leella graduated from Tech High and completed course work at Metropolitan Community College.

Leella’s daughter Rev. Bobbie Lee Anderson described her mother this way: “If she met you, she would have something nice to say.”

Leella spent 32 years in human services and was passionate about meeting her client’s needs, spending her own money to take them on vacations every year. She worked at Encor before becoming the first Black supervisor for advisors of mentally challenged adults for the state of Nebraska. She retired in 2005. Outside of work, Leella had a full life with her family and church.

As a youngster she and two friends, Velma and Jackie, formed an R&B trio called The Fascinators and performed throughout Omaha. In 2010, Leella was invited to be a soloist at a concert with the Bethel CME church choir in California and was featured in a story in the Long Beach Press-Telegram.

Leella was a devoted member of Zion Baptist Church, where she accepted God and was baptized at a young age. She was an angelic pitch-perfect voice with spot-on harmony. She also played the piano and read music.

Leella became an ordained evangelist in 1997 through Crenshaw Christian Center in Los Angeles, under pastor Fred K.C. Price Sr. She even created her own home Bible study course with a number of faithful members.  Throughout her life, Leella had a deep and abiding faith

that she shared through her arts and crafts. Over the years, Leella made laminated bookmarks with Bible verses and prayers that she shared with any and all, especially if you needed a little spark of faith. Known as Aunt Lollie to her nieces and nephews and Lolliepop to her parents, she was a joy to her widespread family.

Leella was preceded in death by her parents, Albin and Leella and her siblings Albin Jr., Dorothy, Emma, Barbara and Esther.

Leella is survived by her husband of 57 years Everett L. Payne of Omaha, her children; Timothy L. Payne and his wife Virginia of Omaha; Rev. Bobbie Lee Anderson of Los Angeles; Andrell W. Payne-Summage, of Omaha; siblings Lawrence Simmons of Las Vegas and Arland Simmons and his wife Kathy of Omaha, grandchildren; Kenneth Payton and his wife Myhesha; Justin Payne and his wife Precious, Brittany Payne, Braxton Summage and Temple Summage; great grandchildren Kenneth Jr., King, Elijah and Cartier; and a host of nieces and nephews.

Have your cell phones ready to play Leella’s song “Who We Are” at the gravesite.

Funeral Service: 11:00 AM Thursday, February 11th with Visitation 1 Hour prior to the service at Zion Baptist Church, 2215 Grant Street.

Interment: Mount Hope Cemetery, 7602 Military Ave.

1/7/1930 – 2/3/2021

Omaha – Preceded in death by husband Vale, son Eric. Survived by sons Vic (Caryn), Chris (Kim), 4 grandchildren, 3 great grandchildren, family and friends. Service at a later date.   

Memorials to All Saints Episcopal Church.

Roeder Mortuary, Inc. – 108th Street Chapel

2727 N 108th St – Omaha, NE – 402-496-9000

www.RoederMortuary.com

Rick Allen Andersen age 62 of Omaha passed away January 27, 2021.  He was born April 27,1958 in Omaha, Nebraska to the late Robert and Illa (Smith) Andersen.

He loved to ride and cherished his Harley Davidson.

Loved by partner; Pamela LaHoda. Honored by brothers; Randy (deceased) Chris, Rudy, Bob (deceased), Bill (deceased) and Andy, sister; Kimberly. He was so loved by his Nieces and Nephews you are not forgotten, Best friends Jim LaHoda, Mario Gomez.

A Gathering of Family and Friends will be from 1:00 to 3:00 pm Sunday, February 7, 2021,                                                                   Roeder Mortuary, 4932 Ames Ave.

Gordon J. Cizek was born September 9, 1925 in Prague, Nebraska                                                                   as an only child to Rose and Joseph Cizek.

During the depression, the family left the farm and moved to Omaha, Nebraska. Gordon attended Technical High School then joined the Army Air Corp, United States Air Force. First lieutenant promoted to second lieutenant, then Major and was awarded his wings as a first pilot in 1942. He was stationed in Madison, Wisconsin.

He married his future wife of 74 years, Hope Mascarello on June 28, 1946.                                              They had two sons; Ronald and Marc.

Gordon attended Omaha University and received an associate’s degree in engineering.  He worked for Gate City Steel then Drake Williams Steel as an estimator until his retirement at age 85.

Gordon loved his farm in Prague, Nebraska and spent almost every Saturday there driving the tractor and checking on the crops. He loved roller skating at Skate Land. He drove a Harley up until the age of 85. He flew his Cardinal RG from Millard Airport to Wahoo and circled the farm in Prague and will continue this routine for perpetuity.

Gordon J. Cizek age 95 of Omaha passed away January 30, 2021. He is survived by his wife of 75 years, Hope Cizek of Omaha, sons; Ron Cizek (Deb), Marc Cizek (Bonnie), grandchildren; great grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, family and friends.

Visitation: 9-11 am with Funeral Service at 11am, Thursday, February 4^th                                                                                                    Roeder Mortuary, 2727 N. 108^th St.

Interment: Bohemian National Cemetery, Prague, NE with Military Honors.

Funeral Service will be live on Roeder Mortuary 108^th St. Facebook page.

Memorials maybe directed to the VFW.