PHILLIPS COUNTY

Colorado

 

GEORGE ERNEST MATTHIAS RAFERT

 

Holyoke Enterprise, Holyoke, CO, March 1987

 

GEORGE RAFERT RITES

 

George Ernest Matthias Rafert, the oldest son of Henry and Matilda Weneger Rafert, was born April 2, 1894 on a farm northeast of Plainview, NE.  He was baptized into the Christian faith in Zion Lutheran Church in Plainview on April 22, 1894. He reaffirmed his faith in Christ at his Confirmation in Zion Lutheran Church on April 12, 1908.

 

He attended elementary school for three years at Breslaw, NE and for five years at Zion Lutheran School in Plainview.  On October 6, 1917 George was inducted into the U.S. Army. He served as a truck driver in the Argon Woods during World War I. After the war ended, he was in the Army of Occupation for six months. He was honorably discharged in June of 1919 and returned to his home in Plainview.

 

On February 6, 1921 he married Olga Schumacher in Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Osmond, NE. To this union four sons were born: Everett, Wayne, Arlan and Larry. On February 6 of this years, they celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary. On March 1, 1921 they moved from Plainview to a farm south of Amherst, where they lived for the next 33 years. George retired and they moved to Holyoke in September of 1954, where he lived until his death.

 

George was a lifelong member of the Lutheran Church. While living south of Amherst, he was a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Amherst. After moving to Holyoke, he joined Zion Lutheran Church in Holyoke. He was always very active in the church. He served his Lord and Savior by holding the offices of elder, trustee and Lutheran Laymen's League representative. He taught Sunday School and was a member of the Lutheran Laymen's League and Fellowship Club. He was also involved in the establishment of the Shut-in Tape Ministry at Zion. Very few congregational activities were held without George and Olga being present and offering their

support. He lived his life in the Lord and his dedication and zeal for serving the Lord were an example for all.

 

George was also very active within the community. He served on the school board in Amherst, as a 4-H leader, as an ASCS committeeman and as a board member on the Amherst Oil Board. He was also a member of the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars.

 

Following retirement, George and Olga spent a lot of time traveling. They took trips to five different countries in Europe and to all 50 states. They spent many winters in California with their son Larry and family.

 

He was preceded in death by his parents; a son Arlan; four brothers Ben, Edward, Alfred and Albert; three sisters Martha, Irma and Emma; and one granddaughter, Lonnie Krieg.

 

He is survived by his wife Olga of Holyoke; three sons, Everett of Holyoke, Wayne and his wife Donna of Amherst, and Larry and wife Judy of Stockton, CA; a daughter-in-law Mary Belle Rafert of Amherst; nine grandchildren; nine great grandchildren; and a host of other relatives and

friends.

 

Services were held in Zion Lutheran Church in Holyoke Friday, March 6. Rev. Gary A. Rahe was the officiant. Burial was in the Amherst Cemetery.

 

 

OLGA MARIE (SCHUMACHER) RAFERT

 

Holyoke Enterprise, Holyoke, CO, Aug 1991

 

Olga Marie Rafert was born on a farm near Wisner, Nebraska on July 21, 1900. She was the youngest child and only daughter of Henry and Lina Schumacher.

 

She was baptized into the Christian faith in the Lutheran Church on September 2, 1900. Olga confirmed her faith in Christ in Immanuel Lutheran Church in Osmond, Nebraska on March 16, 1913. She was very active in the church during her youth. She sang in the church choir and participated in Walther League, the Lutheran youth organization.

 

In 1904 her family moved to a farm near Osmond, Nebraska. Olga attended a public elementary school near Osmond for three years and the Lutheran parochial school in Osmond for five years.

 

She was married to George Rafert on February 6, 1921. Four sons were born to this union: Everett, Wayne, Arlan and Larry. On March 1, 1921, Olga and George moved to a farm three and one half miles south of Amherst. They lived there for the next 33 years. Olga and George were both active members of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Amherst during that time.

 

In September of 1954, Olga and George moved to Holyoke. They joined Zion Lutheran Church in Holyoke where Olga was active in the Ladies Aid and Women of Zion. She and George participated in as many church activities as possible over the years. Olga continued doing so until her health would no longer allow it. In addition to her activity in the church, Olga was also involved in several community organizations. George and Olga celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary in 1987.

 

On December 7, 1988, Olga suffered a stroke which left her right side paralyzed and her mind confused. She passed away at Melissa Memorial Hospital in Holyoke on July 30, 1991 at the age of 91.

 

Olga was dedicated to serving the Lord Jesus Christ. Throughout her life she was active in the church and through her life offered an example of Christian behavior to family and friends alike.

 

She was preceded in death by her husband George in 1987; her parents; her brothers John and Henry; her son Arlan in 1982; and a granddaughter Lonnie Krieg in 1985.

 

She is survived by three sons: Everett of Holyoke, Wayne and wife Donna of Amherst and Larry and wife Judy of Stockton, California; a daughter-in-law Mary Belle Rafert of Amherst; nine grandchildren; 10 great grandchildren and a host of other relatives and friends.

 

 

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Last updated December 2018