Franklin Oman of North Platte, Nebraska died at Linden Court in North Platte on Tuesday, January 19, 2021, just shy of his 100th birthday.
Franklin was born on March 16, 1921 in Custer County, Nebraska near Gothenburg to Oscar and Anna (Isackson) Oman. He attended New Hope School, then after graduating from Gothenburg High School in 1939, he attended the University of Nebraska at Lincoln and worked for Western Electric.
Franklin served two years in the U.S. Air Corps as a Radar Specialist. He worked in aircraft plants in Baltimore, MD and Nashville, TN, and taught in an aircraft school in Kansas.
On October 4, 1942, Franklin married Ruth LaVerne Reinmiller at Staplehurst, Nebraska. The couple was blessed with two sons, twin daughters and 72 years of marriage.
The family moved south of Brady, Nebraska in 1950 where Frankliin farmed for many years and later moved to Gothenburg, then eventually to North Platte, Nebraska. Franklin was employed by Central Nebraska Public Power for 25 years as a plant operator and control center supervisor until retiring in 1982.
He was a member and past elder of the Frist Presbyterian Church and a long time member of the American Legion, Elks Club, Lion's Club, North Platte Shrine Club, and Platte Valley Lodge #32 AF & AM where he was a 32 Degree Mason. Franklin also served on the Brady School Board. He was an avid golfer and enjoyed Lapidary work, wood carving and playing bridge. He and LaVerne also taught ballroom dancing for many years. Franklin was real proud of his family and cherished the life he built for them all.
He was preceded in death by his wife, LaVerne; their son, Terry Oman; his parents, Elmer and Anna Oman; and two sisters, Hazel Craig and Elsie Keller.
Franklin is survived by his children, Dean (Linda) Oman and Darice (Raymond) Sundstrom of North Platte, Nebraska, and Debra (Stephen) Olson of Minden, Nebraska; a daughter-in-law, Virginia Oman of Kearney, Nebraska; 10 grandchildren: Kevin Oman, Melissa (Larry) Stacy, Erin (Marty) Antholz, Dustin Oman, Hayley (Eric) Ryan, Tracy Sundstrom, Scott (Amie) Sundstrom, Teri Jo (Aaron) Schledwitz, Stephanie (Brock) Emery, and Amber (Nick) Napier; 22 great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews, including Janice Egenberger, Cathy Kellery, LaVae Fattig, and Ron Keller; and other family.
Funeral service with Masonic Rites will be at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, January 25, 2021 at Odean Colonial Chapel in North Platte, Nebraska. Burial with military honors will be at 1:00 p.m. in the Gothenburg Cemetery. For those unable to attend, services will be recorded and posted to odeanchapel.com. Visitation will be prior to the service at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore in North Platte, which is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be shared at odeanchapel.com. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Masonic Lodge or donor's choice.