Avid Ewers
Avid Henry Ewers was born Aug. 6, 1895, at Macon, Franklin County, son of Henry Ewers and wife, Johanna Ottesburg {sic} Ewers.
He was received by baptism into the living relationship with the Triune God by Pastor G. Janssen. He was confirmed March 31, 1912 at the Lutheran Church at Pickrell by Pastor Pirner. His Bible verse was taken from the book of John, Chapter 2, verse 28 "And now little children abide in him; that when he shall appear we many have confidence and not be ashamed before him at his coming."
He was married to Sadie Riens on Dec. 23, 1917 at Zion Lutheran Church by Pastor J.B. Reents. This union was blessed with three children, Emma, Lorene and Margie.
They made their home on a farm northeast of Pickrell 14 years before moving into the Cortland vicinity and from there moved to Beatrice in 1942. They became members of St. John American Lutheran Church.
He worked at the Beatrice State Developmental Center and in past years, at the Imperial Sation {sic}.
He was taken to the hospital May 29, and departed in peace June 2, 1980, reaching the age of 84 years, 9 months and 26 days.
Surviving him are his wife, Sadie; two daughters, Emma and her husband, Jurgen Ideus, and Lorene Frerichs; 20 grandchildren and three step grandchildren and 30 great-grandchildren; brothers, Harm, John and Rickie, all of Beatrice; sisters, Sophie Schlake of Cortland, Hilsa Helmerichs of Summerifled {sic}, Kan., Lena Johnson of Beatrice and Elizabeth of Filley. He was preceded in death by one daughter, Margie; four brothers, two sisters and his parents. Funeral service was held at 2 p.m. June 4, 1980, at St. John Lutheran Church, the Rev. Alton Schwandt and the Rev. Fred Kumpf officiating. Bonita Johnsen was organist. Barbara Stutheit and Judy Buhr sang. The congregational hymn was "Lord Take My Hand." Interment was at Evergreen Home Cemetery, Beatrice. Casket bearers were Miley Schlake, Marvin Oto, Arnold Ewers, Virgil Reins, Gehde Jurgens and Jess Vetrovsky. Honorary casket bearers were Larry Wolken, Dwayne Wolken, Wilred Ideus, Willie Ideus, Georg Idus and Paul Diekman.
Griffiths-Hovendick Chapel was in charge of arrangements.
Gardening
Friend, my garden means so very much to me;
And answers to many problems I have sought,
I've often found while wielding spade or hoe;
In it some timely lessons have been taught.
While weeding there, I'm often on my knees.
And as nowhere else on earth, I feel his love.
I'm reminded it was to a garden long ago,
That our savior went to pray to God above.
If we'd only try to pull the weeds of discontent
Out of our lives just as we weed the garden row,
Hoe out selfishness, foolish pride and greed,
I think we'd know the peace God meant mankind to know.

-Beatrice Daily Sun, Beatrice, Nebraska, Tuesday, August 5, 1980, pg 9