Former Hastings, Nebraska resident, Edward A. Debus, age 96, passed away Monday, August 27, 2012 in Lincoln. Ed was born February 8, 1916 in Exeter, Nebraska. He was the youngest child of Sander and Elizabeth Debus. He moved with the family to Hastings in 1923. Ed graduated from Hastings High School and he lettered in football all four years he attended Hastings College. He went to work in the family business, Debus Baking Company, before graduating due to the war. Ed married Marie Bruntz in 1939 and they had three children. While at the bakery he held the position of maintenance supervisor, fleet and sales manager, treasurer, general manager and president. He was treasurer of Hastings Corporation, Board of Directors of Hastings Chamber of Commerce, President of Nebraska Bakers Association, Alternate Governor to American Bakers Association for Nebraska. Ed was also a former member of the Nebraska Civil Air Patrol as a pilot. After the bakery was sold in 1964 he was employed by Hastings Irrigation Pipe Company and the Big G Auto Center. After his retirement he and Marie built a home at El Charman Lake near Gibbon, Nebraska. They moved back to Hastings in 1991. Ed moved to Lincoln in 2006. He was a member of First St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Hastings.
Ed was preceded in death by his parents, wife Marie, daughter Jackie McCoy, granddaughter Stephanie McCoy, sisters Marie Campbell, Bertha Vick and Ruth Stanton. He is survived by his son Bruce Debus and his wife Jayne (vonForell) Debus of Lincoln, daughter Patt and her husband Joe Councill of Omaha. Grandchildren and spouses, Cindi (McCoy) and John Weiss of Saginaw, Michigan; Joe and Joanne Councill, Drue Councill and Kathy Benak all of Omaha. Great grandchildren, Joey Councill, Jackson Councill, Lilly Councill, Ty Councill and Samantha Gillespie. Nieces: Linda Luff, Kathy Stauffer and Pam Watson, Nephew: Vern McAleer.
Graveside services will be held on Friday, August 31, 2012 at 11:00 A.M. at Parkview Cemetery, Hastings, Nebraska.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, August 30, 2012 from 5:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. at Livingston-Butler-Volland Funeral Home, 1225 N. Elm Ave, Hastings, Nebraska.
Memorials may be left for a Humane Society of the family’s choice.
Dear Bruce & Jayne,
So sorry to hear about the loss of your father. Our thoughts and payers are with you and your family.Hope all is well in Lincoln.
Mike
Dear Bruce,Pat and families,
Sorry to hear of the loss of your father, we have such fond memories of him when he and Martha Smith would come over or attend one of our sons ball games. Our sympathy to you and your families. From reading the obituary he was a very talented man, I remember him talking about some of his interests but certainly not all of them. He was a visionary ahead of his times. He certainly had a full life. Thoughts and prayers are with you all at this time.
Patt, Joe and children and grandchildren – I was so sorry to hear of the loss of your father, Patt. He had a long and wonderful life and I know how proud he was of his family. Take care of yourselves.
Gayle Koltz and Jackie Casper
For the family of Ed Debus, our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Robert Hill ( shipping room clerk, early ‘fifties’)
Bruce & Jayne,
My heart aches for you. The death of ones dad is truly one of the most difficult things one has to go through. Keep his memories alive and you will be able to keep his spirit alive. Know I pray you find comfort in the days to come. God Be With You.