Del Cross

Del Cross, 93, was born to Earl and Bertha Cross on March 20, 1931 at the family homestead near Bloomfield, Nebraska (NE) where he passed away on September 18, 2024. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, October 12, 2024, at the Good Shepherd Evangelical Lutheran Church in the village of Lindy, NE. Pastor Dani Jo Bierwagen will be officiating. A private family inurnment will be held at the Crofton City Cemetery, Crofton, NE.

Del graduated from Bloomfield High School in 1948. He entered the U.S. Army, serving in the Korean War as a member of the Headquarters Battery, 8th Antiaircraft Artillery Gun Battalion. He was cited for Meritorious Service.

Del returned to the family farm and ranching operation after his military service. His passion was the development of genetically superior blood lines in cattle. He was one of the first breeders in Nebraska to use artificial insemination on his Angus herd, selling bulls and club calves. Del was also an entrepreneur, starting a direct to consumer “lean red meat” business. He was a member of the Good Shephard Evangelical Lutheran Church, the Ruritan Club, active in the Northwest Feeders 4-H Club, and was a past Board member of the Rural Electric Association.

Del married Janet L. Wecker in 1952. From this union, three children were born: Debbra Sue Lemke, Barry Dallas Cross, and Natalie Cross Peetz.

Del married Mayme Harvey on July 15, 1982. They created a blended family, enjoying eight grandchildren and fifteen great-grandchildren. They spent many years attending 4-H shows, cattle sales, and watching grandchildren show cattle. They loved to entertain family and friends at the farm, but it came with a catch. Visitors learned how to ride horseback, sort and brand cattle, fix fence and drink a little Budweiser, red wine or have a shot of Don Benson’s Old Crow after a long day’s work. Del was a true American cowboy. 

Del and Mayme loved traveling, dancing, playing cards and listening to big band and jazz music. Del also loved to read, water ski at Lewis and Clark Lake, and canoe Nebraska’s beautiful rivers.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Earl and Bertha Cross; son, Barry Cross; brother, Dale Cross; sister, Maves Benson; brother-in-law, Don Benson; and, nephew Kyle Benson. 

He is survived by his wife, Mayme; daughters, Debbra (Rod) Lemke of Brady, NE, and Natalie (Jack) Peetz of Lincoln, NE; two stepsons, John (Jan) Harvey of Red Cloud, NE, and Ken (Rose) Harvey of Kearney, NE; eight grandchildren; and, fifteen great-grandchildren.

Heartfelt thanks to the many friends and neighbors who helped make it possible for Del and Mayme to remain living on the farm in their later years. Special thanks to the Bloomfield/Lindy Rescue Squad.

The family requests memorials to Good Shepherd Evangelical Lutheran Church, 89039 539 St. Bloomfield, NE 68718, or the Bloomfield/Lindy Rescue, 211 North Broadway, Bloomfield, NE 68718.