John Russell Wolsmann

January 23, 1929 - December 5, 2020

John Russell Wolsmann, age 91, of Blair, passed away on December 5, 2020 at Good Shepherd Lutheran Home. Private graveside services will be held in the Blair Cemetery. A recording of the service will be available at www.campbellaman.com on Thursday afternoon. The register book will be available for people to sign Wednesday at Campbell Aman Funeral Home from 1:00 to 7:00PM. John was born January 23, 1929 on the family farm north of Kennard. His parents were Soren and Clara (Follen) Wolsmann. He was baptized and confirmed at Emmaus Lutheran Church, Kennard. John attended Brewster Country School. At that time, neighbor kids walked together to school, cutting through fields or walking along the dirt roads. He assisted with school plays and kept score at sporting events while in Kennard High School; John graduated in 1946. He married Betty Leona Schlote on July 29, 1951 at Sinai Lutheran Church, Fremont, NE. To this union were born three children: John, Laura, and Sharon. John and Betty raised their family on the Wolsmann farm southwest of Blair. He farmed with his father and later with his son. Technology changed greatly during John's lifetime; he began farming behind a plow pulled by horses. Although he grumbled at the usual things, not enough rain, too much rain, or the ground is too muddy to plant, he did love farming. Many may not know John had other interests. He was an expert at studying the stars in the night sky and could easily point out each part of the visible universe and name the constellations. John studied history and nature. When happy and thinking he was alone, he would sing songs from his youth. He also loved hunting trips with his son and long time friends. Regular gatherings of friends from the neighborhood pinochle club, McCarthy Community club, A.B.C. (1st Lutheran) brought much laughter. John was a member of the church council at both Emmaus Lutheran and First Lutheran Church, a school board member at McCarthy Community School, and a member of Washington County Mutual Insurance Agency. John felt honored to receive the Ak-Sar-Ben Pioneer Farm Family Award acknowledging 100 years of continuous farm ownership in Washington County. No matter the occasion, John loved to tell jokes and stories. If people were present--whether a gathering with friends and relatives or a stop at a Blair business--the "groaners" (as his kids referred to them) would flow. In his later days, John's eyes would sparkle as he teased Teresa and Randy (niece and nephew) during their regular visits. The stories decreased in his waning years, yet in his own way, he teased the staff (his new friends & substitute family) at Good Shepherd. John was preceded in death by parents Soren and Clara; sisters and brothers-in-law Roma and Henry Gehrk (Kennard), Lila and Albert "Bud" Hansen (Orum), Mary Ann and Roy Fauss (Nickerson), and precious daughter Laura Purcell of Logan, IA. Survived by his wife Betty of Blair; children Johnny (Yvonne) Wolsmann [Omaha], son-in law Marvin (Deb) Purcell [Logan,IA] and Sharon (Ted) Metzgar [Beaver Falls, PA]. Grandchildren: Justin (Kate Steckler) Wolsmann, Adam (Megan Davis) Wolsmann, Inga Webner, Erin (T.J.) Rue, Amber (Darren) Lu, Cody (Stephanie) Purcell, Paul (Elizabeth) Metzgar, David (Olivia) Metzgar and many great grandchildren. John was loved and will be missed. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be sent to the "Gazebo Flower Gardens/Gazebo Maintenance" fund at Good Shepherd Lutheran Home. Family Request: Due to COVID and the inability to safely gather and reminisce, the family requests written memories of John. Please send your stories to Betty at Johansen Manor.