Clarence Herbert Lash, son of Clarence and Fern (Jones) Lash, was born December 21, 1924, in Auburn, Nebraska. Herb grew up on the family farm; attended Fairview Rural School through 8th grade; and graduated Auburn High School in 1942.
He farmed with his dad until being called to serve in the Army in July 1944, leaving for France by ship on January 1st, 1945 and taking part in the Battle of the Bulge. The European front ended May 7th and he returned to the U.S. July 19th. He was to be sent on to the Pacific front, but while home on leave, the atomic bomb was dropped. Due to his dad’s broken back, Herb was discharged October 9th, 1945.
Returning to farm, Herb met and married Joan Griffiths of Verdon on April 6th, 1947. They lived on the same section where he grew up in the Bethel community, raising 4 children: Charlotte, Phillip, Sheila, and Brenda.
Herb was a member of the Auburn Christian Church serving many years as a trustee and deacon. In recent years, he attended services with Joan at the Good Samaritan Home and then the Brownville Christian Church. Organizations he belonged to include the District 18 School Board, Nemaha County Ag Society and Fair Board, Noxious Weed Board, Farm Bureau, American Legion Auburn Post #23, The 40 and 8, and the London Cemetery Board.
Being very interested and committed to supporting his children’s and grandchildren’s activities, you would often see Herb at school, sporting events, fairs, or anything else in which they would participate. Other interests he had were keeping up with the latest farm technologies and methods and raising cattle. He was one of the first farmers to start crossbreeding cattle in the state.
Nemaha County and Southeast Nebraska has always been a special place for Herb. He has made many close friends spanning a wide range of ages. He passed away at the age of 97 at the Nebraska Heart Institute in Lincoln.
Herb was preceded in death by his son, parents, and wife. He is survived by daughters Charlotte and Dan Grone; Sheila Haith; and Brenda and Charles Chase. His grandchildren are Ben and Melani Grone; Lane and Stephanie Grone; Leslie (Haith) and Tim Sutter; Brook Haith; Jennifer (Haith) Phelps; David and Janice Chase; Gabriel and Rachel Chase; Caleb Chase; Elijah and Sydney Chase; Abigail Chase; and Simeon Chase. His great grandchildren are Cayson and Adalyn Grone; Rilian and Rosalyn Grone; Halle Sutter and fiancé CJ Goos; Jordan Sutter; Olivia and Jackson Phelps; Malachi, Kezia, Jaaziah, and Lycia Chase; and Jameson “Herbert” Chase.
A funeral service will be Friday, June 24, 3:00 p.m. at the Auburn Christian Church, preceded by a luncheon for family and friends at 1:00 p.m. at the church. Visitation will be at the funeral home Thursday 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., with family greeting friends 6:00 to 8:00.
Memorials are suggested to family choice.
To view Herb's service live click on the following link:
https://www.auburnchristian.org/live/