Fay L. Neihart

Fay Lurene Stich was born on February 27, 1933 to Robert Arthur and Izma Marie (Fictum) Stich on a farm near Wilber, Nebraska.  She loved the animals on the farm - cats, chickens, dogs, horses, and a pet pig, among others.  Fay learned to drive a tractor at the age of 9 and helped with chores.   She spoke only Czech when she began country school but she quickly learned English and became an excellent reader and writer.

Fay moved with her parents and younger sister to Crete, NE in 1946 and attended Crete High School where she played trombone in the concert and marching bands, was in FHA (Future Homemakers of America), and did very well in her classes.  After graduating in 1951 she attended the Lincoln School of Commerce and worked in Lincoln, NE.

On March 9, 1952 she married her high school sweetheart, Harold Gene Neihart, at Grace Methodist Church in Crete.  They lived in Chula Vista, CA when he was stationed at Naval Base San Diego and serving on the USS Askari until October of 1955.  Fay had a job in San Diego at that time.

After returning to Nebraska they made homes together in Lincoln, LaVista and Millard, where they lived in the same house for almost 52 years.  They had three daughters: Ianne Fay, Tammy Jean, and Penne Rae.  The whole family shared a love of animals, having dogs, cats, horses, hamsters, fish, and turtles.

In later years the couple resided in an Orchard Village townhouse in Omaha, NE, at Silver Ridge Assisted Living in Gretna, NE, and Brookestone Village in Omaha.

Fay held many jobs over the years.  One of the first ones was being an egg-breaker at Fairmont Creamery.  She clerked at the J.C. Penney and Ben Franklin stores and did clerical work at National Transportation and Omaha Baker’s Supply in Millard.

Fay was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and homemaker.  She loved children and she thoroughly enjoyed caring for them, reading to them, teaching them, and playing with them – whether it be dollies, games, sports, or any other adventure.

She played the piano and sang and was very proud of her player piano.  She enthusiastically supported all her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren in their musical endeavors.  She and Harold also took part in every other type of program, competition, awards ceremony, and outing that they possibly could - for each and every family member - and they did so with warmth and happiness.

Fay’s kind and caring ways brightened the lives of many people.  She made every holiday, birthday, and anniversary special for family and friends because they were all important to her.  She volunteered and helped whenever and wherever she was needed.  She taught Sunday School and was a long-time active member of FaithWestwood United Methodist Church in Millard along with Harold.

She was a Girl Scout leader and when Harold was out protecting and serving the public as a Nebraska State Patrolman, Fay was forming and leading a Neighborhood Watch group.  She was very patriotic and proud of Harold’s Navy service as well as his law enforcement identity.  They were also Nebraska Cornhusker fans.

Fay was a great cook and baker.  Being very proud of her Czech heritage, she made dozens upon dozens of kolaches and crescent rolls (often with Harold’s help) and taught all her children and grandchildren to do so too.  She also taught them to make pies and cookies - and she was good at decorating cakes.  Her skills made tasty meals out of the wild game and fish that Harold brought home.  The family gardened, harvested, canned, and froze food together.  Along with the garden, Fay nurtured her flowers and trees and the wildlife in their yard.

Fay was a skilled seamstress, making clothing, curtains, baby blankets, doll clothes, and many of the square dance outfits she and Harold wore.  She created colorful rugs on her large loom - and also by hand - to give as gifts or sell.  She embroidered and crocheted.  She and Harold made many decorative, useful, or funny craft items to give or sell, too.

Fay and Harold traveled to all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Canada, Mexico, Grand Cayman and Jamaica to visit relatives and friends, sightsee, square dance and camp – progressing from a tent to a tent-trailer to a small trailer to motorhomes.  Wherever they went they were eager to learn, and toured many museums and nature sites, as well as attending a variety of performances.

Fay loved to dance (especially polkas) but square dancing was what they did the most.  They were members of the Gretna Wheeling Eights square dance club, Rolling Squares round dance, square dance, and camping club, and the Winnebago International Travelers.  They sponsored many first-time square dancers, worked on committees, held offices, and earned awards for their dedication.

Fay’s husband Harold died on December 17, 2023.  Her parents are deceased along with her granddaughter, Katrina Jolene Herrick. 

Survivors include daughters: Ianne F. (John) Wolken of Gretna, NE, Tammy J. (Dean) Andersen of Gretna, NE, and Penne R. (Al) Bankson of Gretna, NE.

Grandchildren and Great-grandchildren: Gregory Gene (Cheryl) Wolken and children Norah and Caleb of Weston, WI; Terence Scott Herrick (Katie) and children Reagan, Liam, Kaeden and Waylon of Amherst, NH; David John Wolken of Boulder, CO; and Lana J (Dalton) Frecks of Kentucky.  Also: sister Gail (Jim) Pratt of Eagle, NE and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, memorials to the family for later designation.

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