Arta Arlene Wendt Draucker Thiems, age 102, of Ogallala, Nebraska died on Sunday, September 27, 2020 at Welcov Assisted Living in Ogallala.
Arta was born on February 8, 1918 in Swedeburg, Nebraska to Emil and Olivia Swanson Wendt. The family moved to Kimball, Nebraska six weeks later, residing there for 7 years. Arta started school there at the age of 6. The family then moved to Elm Creek, Nebraska in 1925 and lived there for 5 years. The Wendt family settled at a farm north of Keystone, Nebraska in 1930, where Arta attended Liberty Knoll School.
Arta married Clyde Draucker on July 7, 1936 at Keystone, Nebraska. They were married by the Rev. Campbell. Two children were born, Carol and Roger.
Arta & Clyde moved to the family farm that had been owned by Gar and Agnes Draucker, located 5.5 miles north of Keystone. They lived on the farm for 45 years, moving to the Pete and Wanda Peters place south of Roscoe, Nebraska in 1981. Clyde died on March 26, 1983 after a battle with cancer.
Arta married Roger Thiems on November 20, 1988 in the Keystone Presbyterian Church. Roger died on June 29, 2000. Arta remained in their home in Keystone until moving to the Welcove Assisted Living in 2013.
Arta was very active in her community, serving as a bloodmobile volunteer beginning in 1948 up until 2010, the Keystone Library Club from 1936 until her death - 83 years of active membership, and the Key Club in Keystone as well.
During WWII, she would prepare sandwiches, along with other women from the area, get on the train at Ogallala, and travel to North Platte to help serve the soldiers at the Canteen in North Platte, Nebraska.
She also enjoyed cards with the neighbors, remaining an avid card player her whole life. She was a great dancer and never missed a dance here or in Arizona, where she wintered.
She was preceded in death by four brothers - Ralph (Ethel Mae), Clarence (Wanda), Willard (Bus) (Lorna), and Dorsey (Thelma) Wendt; two sisters - Thelma (Harry) Trim and Beulah (George) Blomenkamp; and a son-in-law, Kenny Most.
Arta is survived by her son, Roger Draucker of Keystone, Nebraska; her daughter, Carol Most of Ogallala, Nebraka; her step-son Rick (Deb) Thiems of Alliance, Nebraska; grandchildren Jeff (Tena) Most, Fred (Carmel) Most, Lance Most, Dave (Natalie) Draucker, Jason (Diana) Draucker, Brian Draucker, Tyler Thiems, and Ashley Thiems Dudden; several great-grandchildren; two great-great-granchildren; and her special friend & caregiver, Daisy Garcia.
A memorial has been established in her memory. Online condolences may be left at www.draucker.com and clicking on the share a memory button. Draucker Funeral Home in Ogallala, Nebraska has been entrusted with the arrangements.