Delbert LeRoy Reiss passed away July 19, 2024, at The Monarch hospice center in Lincoln after a long battle with kidney and heart disease.
Del was born Feb. 17, 1935, in a farmhouse in Lancaster County to parents, Edwin and Irma (Schlichtemeier) Reiss. He had one brother, Richard, who died at the age of 70 due to complications of diabetes. Del was baptized and confirmed at St. John’s Lutheran Church of Kramer. He attended parochial school there as well. He also attended a rural school, District 130, north and east of Crete. When he was a senior in high school, he joined the Nebraska Air National Guard Unit in Lincoln, working his way up to the rank of Tech Sargent with the airplane mechanic division. He attended the guards on weekends and spent summer months in Cheyenne Wyoming. He continued this career for nine years.
He graduated from Crete High School in 1953. Del was granted a football scholarship to Doane College in Crete where he attended college. He was married to Irene Kay Yost on Sept. 16, 1956, at St John’s Lutheran church in Kramer. Together they purchased a farmhouse west of Crete and took up farming. They had four children, Mike, Robin, Randy and Dave. He was injured in a combine accident which almost severed his arm. This forced him to take a less physical job as head of maintenance at the Crete Municipal Hospital, where he worked for several years. He also worked part time as a butcher at Blue River Meats in Crete. However, his heart was always in farming.
Del was on the Dorchester Co-op board for many years. He was a member of a barbershop quartet that recorded a cassette of gospel songs. He also sang in the church choir. He had a beautiful voice and loved to sing at weddings and funerals. He was a very active member of the church in Kramer his entire life.
Del was preceded in death by his wife, Irene; son, Michael Reiss; brother, Richard Reiss; and parents, Edwin and Irma Reiss. Del is survived by his children, Robin and Kent Grotelueschen of Octavia, Randy and Annette Reiss of Denton, and David and Julie Reiss of Waverly; daughter-in-law, Sandi Reiss of Crete; grandchildren, Macy Scheffler, Jesse Runge, Kaitlin Peterson, Tom Reiss, Colton and Justin Reiss, and Tanya Bush; great-grandchildren, Olivia Runge, Katie and Kimmi Bush; and great-great-grandchild, Oliver Bush.
The funeral service will be Friday, July 26, at 10:30 a.m. at St. John Lutheran Church in Kramer. Visitation will be on Thursday from 5 - 7 p.m. at Kuncl Funeral Home in Crete. Arrangements by Kuncl Funeral Home.
