August Blinde

August H. ?Augie? Blinde, one of seven children of A.F. and Mary (Knippelmeier) Blinde, was born September 15, 1930 in a hotel on Main Street in Johnson, Nebraska. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Johnson. Augie grew up in Johnson and attended Johnson Public Schools, graduating from Johnson High School in 1950. During high school, Augie drove a truck for Glen Gerdes and worked for Union Pacific his last two summers of high school.

Augie was drafted into the United States Army on January 16, 1952. He was a member of the 88th Ordinance Heavy Maintenance Company and was honorably discharged on December 23, 1953. Upon his return to Johnson, in January of 1954, Augie joined in partnership with his brother Edwin in a meat processing and locker business. Together, they bought the business in February of 1956, and operated it until retiring in February of 1983.

On May 13, 1956, Augie was united in marriage to Lois Jean Harms at St. Paul?s Lutheran (Hickory Grove) Church near Auburn. The couple was blessed with five children: Susan, Linda, James, Teresa, and Sandra.

Augie was a lifetime member of St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Johnson, and served many years on the church council. He also served many years as President of Lutheran Brotherhood Branch in Southeast Nebraska and Western Missouri. Augie was very active in the community of Johnson, serving two terms on the town board, and many years on the Johnson Volunteer Fire Department, acting as fire chief for several years. Augie was a member of the American Legion in Johnson for 57 years. He was Commander of Post #330 of Johnson for many years, and District Commander for two terms. Augie was active on many different committees for the Legion, including the Nemaha County Veterans Memorial Committee. Throughout his lifetime, Augie donated 22 gallons of blood to the American Red Cross. In his spare time, Augie enjoyed traveling, camping, and playing cards. He also enjoyed spending time working on the farm.

On Sunday, September 16, 2012, Augie was taken to the emergency room of the Nemaha County Hospital in Auburn. He was transported to St. Elizabeth Regional Medical Center in Lincoln, Nebraska, where he passed away that same day, one day after his 82nd birthday. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Carl, Herman, Ralph, and Edwin, and sisters Huldah Kruse and Amelia Dedieu.

Survivors include his wife Lois of Johson; children Sue (Tim) Maschmeier of Beatrice; Linda (Mark) Kuhlenengel of Omaha; Jim (Lisa) Blinde of Auburn; Teresa Vogel of Beatrice; Sandy (Brian) Wahl of Omaha; grandchildren: Josh Maschmeier; Elizabeth, Matthew, and Michael Kuhlenengel; Steve, Eric, and Kevin Blinde; Nathan and wife Julia, Ryan, and Aaron Vogel; Caleb and Macey Wahl; sister Wilma (Arthur) Fairbanks of Phoenix, AZ; sister-in-law Ruth Blinde of St. Joseph, MO; many nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be Friday, September 21, 10:30 a.m. at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Johnson. Burial will follow in St. Matthew Lutheran Cemetery, with graveside military honors provided by American Legion Post #330 of Johnson and the Nebraska National Guard Honors Detail. Visitation will be at the funeral home in Johnson Thursday 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and at the church with family greeting friends Thursday 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.