Jacob “Jake” Reifschneider, 96, Bayard

Jacob "Jake" Reifschneider, 96, of Bayard, died Thursday, May 24, 2012 at Chimney Rock Villa in Bayard. At his request, cremation has taken place at Jolliffe Funeral Home Crematory in Scottsbluff and no visitation is scheduled. His memorial service will be held at 10:30am on Saturday, June 9, 2012 at Faith United Church of Christ in Bayard with Pastor Tom Smith and Pastor Ron Nuss-Warren officiating. Memorials in Jake's honor may be made in care of the church or to the family at 2008 CR 11 Mead, NE 68041.

Jake was born on January 21, 1916 in Gering, NE to Carl and Katherine (Hein) Reifschneider. He attended local grade schools and graduated from Bayard High School in 1934. He then attended Grand Island Business College in Grand Island, NE and received his Associates Degree in Business in 1936. On December 31, 1939, he married Esther Vogel in Bayard. The couple lived and farmed in the Bayard Area with the exception of residing in Omaha, NE during WWII. During the war, Jake worked for Martin Aircraft as an electrician wiring aircraft. After retiring from farming in 1975, Jake and Esther traveled through many parts of the United States, spending their winters in Arizona.

Jake was an active member of the Faith United Church of Christ in Bayard; serving on the Church board at the local, state and national level. Jake was a member of the Bayard Board of Education for nine years and the American Historical Society of Germans from Russia. He was a Lieutenant in the Civil Air Patrol, a Boy Scout leader, and on the 4-H Board of Directors.

He is survived by daughters Bonnie (Jim) Edins of Mead, NE and Debra (Steve) Dunnivant of Richland, WA; five grandchildren; 5 great grandchildren; and one sister Leona (George) Green of Minatare, NE.

His parents, wife Esther Reifschneider, son Tom Reifschneider, daughter Susan Reifschneider, four sisters and four brothers preceded him in death.

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