Robert Francis Walnofer

   Robert (Bob) Francis Walnofer was born on February 8, 1928 at home near Emmet, NE to Alvin and Laura (Steskal) Walnofer. The family moved to Newman Grove, NE, then north of Orchard, NE. He attended school through 8th grade and afterwards chose to stay home to work with his Dad. One of his favorite stories to tell was describing how much corn he could pick by hand in one day.

   Bob married Bernadine Thramer on November 26, 1949 at St. John’s Catholic Church south of Ewing, NE. To this union 11 children were born during nearly 70 years of marriage.

   Bob and Bernadine made their home on a farm northeast of Ewing for 33 years. In 1982, they moved to the ranch near Chambers, NE. Several years later they moved into Chambers. Their final move was in 2000 to a newly built home in O’Neill. Later in life, the couple enjoyed spending winters in Florence, AZ. They were members of St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Ewing and St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in O’Neill.

   Bob grew up farming and continued after marriage. He raised corn, soybeans, and hay along with using pipe irrigation. Also, raised livestock and milked cows throughout the years. He did custom farm work for neighbors in the area and worked at the Ewing and O’Neill sale barns. He left farming to become a rancher and loved that lifestyle.

   Bob was an inspiration for the building of the Country Lane Retirement Village in O’Neill. His generous donation helped that vision come to fruition. He entered County Lane in 2019 as a resident in an Independent Cottage, then moved to Assistant Living, and finally to the Memory  Care unit. During those years he enjoyed going for car rides with his kids around the countryside. When passing farmsteads, he had the sharpest memory of knowing who lived there or who previously owned the land. Bob was also a dedicated caregiver for Bernadine at home when she developed Alzheimer’s. Later she resided at the Atkinson Nursing Home and Country Lane for almost eight years. He was a consistent visitor by her side to ensure her well-being. 

   Bob is survived by his children: Terry (Debbie) Walnofer of Charleston, AR, Carmen (Bill) Richmond of Grant, NE, Tom Walnofer of Ewing, NE, Steve (Rae) Walnofer of Jasper, MO, Nancy (Vince) Price of Lincoln, NE, Kathy (Gregg) Bartak of Ewing, NE, Jill (Randy) Switzer of Ewing, NE, Ted (Karla) Walnofer of Tea, SD, Al (Brenda) Walnofer of Chambers, NE, Rod (Kelly) Walnofer of Van Alstyne, TX. Son-in-law Mark (Connie) Anderson of Miami, OK. 32 grandchildren and 54 great-grandchildren. Siblings: Marilyn (Emil) Cattau of Norfolk, NE, Jim (Barbara) Walnofer of Orchard, NE, Vernon (Janet) Walnofer of San Bernardino, CA. Sister-in-law Yvonne Thramer of Ewing, NE.

   He was preceded by death by wife Bernadine in 2019, daughter Paulette Anderson in 2021, and sisters and their spouses, Viola (Ferdy) Hupp and Joan (Mark) Thramer.