Memorials › Merlon Keith “Sam” Bedke
Merlon Keith “Sam” Bedke
23 May 1939 – 15 Jul 2024
| Birth | 23 May 1939 |
| Death | 15 Jul 2024 |
| Cemetery | Floral Lawns Memorial Gardens North Platte , Lincoln County , Nebraska , USA |
| Added by | J. S. Gilbert on 17 Jul 2024 |
| FaG | https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/272519533 |
Bio
Merlon Keith, "Sam" Bedke was born on May 23, 1939, at his family home in Ravenna Nebraska. He was the youngest of seven children born to Frank and Edna Bedke. Sam loved reminiscing about their farm family and the hard work, shenanigans, and love shared. He attended Ravenna High School and told many stories of his high school football career and time with friends. He always kept his connection to Ravenna friends, families, and neighbors. Sam moved to Omaha at the age of 16 and married Ruth Fletcher. Four daughters were born to this union. After a few years, they moved to Blair where Sam gardened, fished, and spent time with family. Upon moving to Omaha, at 16, Sam apprenticed at Union Pacific Railroad as a machinist, boilermaker welder. He was employed with Union Pacific for his entire career of 45 years. In 1988 he was transferred to North Platte to finish his career. He was a member of the Boilermaker's Union. February 19, 1989, he was united in marriage to Cindy Hancock Wiese. You often heard the two of them referring to each other as "partner "or "buddy" in their conversations. With this union, Sam's family grew, adding two step-daughters and two step-sons with which to share life and love. Sam and Cindy lived in rural North Platte for 35 years. Together they loved the land and many animals in their 80-acre paradise. Sam is survived by his loving wife Cindy; three daughters, Marlene Bedke, Julie (Monte) Flynn, and Teri (Mark) Otte; one step-son Tim (Stacy) Wiese; two step-daughters, Angie (John) Burrows, and Rebecca (Teak) Colson; seventeen grandchildren; twenty great-grandchildren; one cousin Marge Ruder and many special nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, mother and father in-law, Harry and Phylis Hancock; two brothers, Ervin and Robert Bedke, four sisters Edith, Lois, Phyllis, and Marlene, and their spouses; daughter Debbie; son-in-law's, Jim Reyzlik and Rich Warrick; step-son Ted Wiese; and many friends. Sam entered into eternity on July 15, 2024, surrounded by his loving family. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M., Friday, July 19th at Bethel Church, North Platte, Nebraska with Pastor Geoff Safford officiating. Burial will follow at Floral Lawns Memorial Gardens.
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Siblings
- Erwin Leroy Bedke 1926–1980
- Robert D "Bob" Bedke 1928–1995
- Edith Elaine Bedke Smejkal 1930–1961
- Lois L. Bedke Varley 1931–2006
- Phyllis Bedke Lux 1933–2006
- Marlene Joyce Bedke Tatman 1935–2019
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