Ben Ediger

Ben Ediger, age 83, formerly of Hampton, died Wednesday, June13, 2007, as the result of a car accident.

Funeral Services will be held 2:00 P.M., Monday, June 18th at the Bethesda Mennonite Church in Henderson. Revs. George Kaufman and Weldon Martens will officiate. Interment will be in the Hampton Cemetery. Greeting of the family and book signing will be from 5 to 7 P.M. Sunday at Higby-McQuiston Mortuary in Aurora. Memorials may be directed to the Hampton FFA Chapter. Condolences may be e-mailed to the family through the mortuary website at higbymortuary.com.

Those who remain to cherish his memory are his daughter, Glenda Epperson; a son, Lowell Ediger and his wife Jennifer; five grandchildren, Kimberly, Karissa (Nicholas), Benjamin, Brandon & Kaliegh and two great-grandchildren, Jaden and Sara. He is also survived three brothers, John (Joan) Ediger of Aurora, Larry (Joyce) Ediger of Aurora, Don (Lois) Ediger of Lincoln and two sisters, Mary Ann (Art) Regier of Hampton and Janice (Bob) Simonson of Omaha and a host of family and friends.

OBITUARY: BEN EDIGER

Our father, Ben R. Ediger, the son of John J. and Elizabeth (Quiring) Ediger, was born in Hamilton County, Nebraska on November 16, 1923 and died in Aurora, Nebraska on June 13, 2007, at the age of 83 years, 6 months and 28 days.

Upon his confession of faith in Christ as his personal Savior, Ben was baptized on September 11, 1938 at the Mennonite Brethren Church in Henderson.

Ben attended country school and graduated from Hampton High School in 1942. While in school, he was a starter for the Hampton High School State Basketball Champs. He served in the United States Army during World War II. Ben was honorably discharged on July 17, 1946.

On September 14, 1947, Ben was united in marriage to Mary Bergen and they established their first home in Hampton. Ben joined Bethesda Mennonite Church on May 28, 1950. In 1949, they moved to their farm near Hampton where they lived until 1992. They had 55 years and 8 months of wonderful years together.

God blessed Ben and Mary with two children through adoption, Glenda of Bellevue and Lowell of Hampton. We couldn’t have hand picked a better father, God has truly blessed us and we will miss him greatly.

Ben and Mary farmed south of Hampton for 43 years. Over the decades, Ben taught many area young men how to work hard and learn the farming business. He was known to tell his hired hands that the only radio station that came in was Columbus, the area’s AM Christian station. It took one man, over a year to figure out that dad was fibbing.

Ben was very active as a leader in the 4-H programs and was awarded an Honorary FFA Chapter award from the Hampton High FFA. He was on the Hamilton County Fair Board and was honored for 25 years of service to the Hamilton County Agricultural Society Board.

Ben was a pillar of faith to his children, his grandchildren, extended family as well as the community. Dad set a wonderful example of daily devotions and prayer twice a day for his family.

Ben was passionate with his love for the Lord and would witness to anyone he could. He was concerned that the County Fair was on Sundays and he was responsible for initiating the Sunday morning Pancake Breakfast and Worship Service.

Ben had a true heart for compassion and forgiveness and was loved by all that knew him. If troubles arose between family or friends, he was the first one to bring everyone together to work things out.

In 1992, Ben and Mary moved from their farm to their home in Aurora. The Lord called Mary home in 2003. As Ben’s health began to deteriorate, he moved to the East Park Villa where he had many good friends.

Through the years he loved to see his grandchildren come over and was proud of their many accomplishments.

Preceding him in death are his parents, his wife, sister, Lillian Winter and brother-in-law, Floyd, and brother, Ed Ediger.

Those who remain to cherish his memory are his daughter, Glenda Epperson; a son, Lowell Ediger and his wife Jennifer; five grandchildren, Kimberly of Grand Island, Karissa (Nicholas) Williams of Bellevue, Benjamin and Brandon Epperson and Kaliegh Schlender and two great-grandchildren, Jaden and Sara Williams. He is also survived by a sister-in-law, Esther Ediger of Hampton; three brothers, John (Joan) Ediger of Aurora, Larry (Joyce) Ediger of Aurora, Don (Lois) Ediger of Lincoln and two sisters, Mary Ann (Art) Regier of Henderson and Janice (Bob) Simonson of Omaha and a host of family and friends.