Maurice W. Karlberg

Maurice W. Karlberg, 92, of Sumner, NE, left his earthly life and entered eternal life with his Lord and Savior on Saturday November 21, 2015, at CHI Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney, Nebraska. Maurice Wesley Karlberg was born to Gust and Anna (Carlson) Karlberg on June 6, 1923, at the family home north of Sumner, in Custer County. The rainy weather on the night of Maurice’s birth prevented the doctor from coming to the farm. In the doctors absence, Maurice’s father, Gust, delivered baby Maurice himself. Maurice accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Savior at an early age. Maurice attended grade school at Lone Star School south of Sumner. His mode of transportation to grade school was to walk or to drive a horse and wagon. Maurice attended high school in Sumner and every day, no matter the weather, he rode his bicycle from the farm to school, a round trip of six miles. He graduated from Sumner high school in 1940. Maurice farmed with his father from 1940 to 1947. He felt called to be a pastor so he attended Trinity College and Seminary in Chicago, IL. During this time at seminary, he became engaged to Ellen Scoville. Maurice was united in marriage to Ellen Scoville on July 23, 1948. After graduating from seminary in 1950, Maurice pastored the Evangelical Free Church in Benson, MN. While Maurice and Ellen lived in Benson, Karen Sue and Timothy Alan were born to the couple. Later, Maurice pastored the Mamre Church near Marquette, NE and during this time David Wesley was born. In 1959, Maurice and Ellen returned home to the farm east of Sumner. Maurice enjoyed farming, taking care of his livestock and working with horses. Besides full-time ranching and farming he also was a substitute pastor for many churches in the area which also included being an interim pastor at Lexington Evangelical Free Church and Burr Oak Church. He also officiated for many funerals. After 28 years of living on the farm east of Sumner, Maurice and Ellen moved to their home in Sumner. Maurice was a very organized and concise planner in all that he did. Everything he did was to the best of his ability. He modeled and instilled many virtues in his children: integrity, honesty, and frugality. He was a man of prayer and was blessed with the gifts of wisdom and good counsel. Maurice enjoyed people and always had a listening ear. He was also a gifted conversationalist which aided his excellent story-telling abilities. Many of his original bedtime stories are still being passed down through the generations to his great grand-children today. Maurice loved the holidays. He was usually the first person to pinch the packages under the Christmas tree in attempt to guess what was inside. One of his favorite events was the Sumner 4th of July parade. On multiple occasions he had a parade entry that he had enjoyed carefully planning and creating. Maurice’s life was an inspiration to all who he came in contact with. His greatest desire in life was that his family and all who he knew would come to know Christ and live for Him. Maurice’s relationship with the Lord was evident in everything he did and that legacy will live on. Survivors include: One daughter: Karen Sue (Gail) Coleman of Greeley, Colorado, Two sons: Timothy Alan (Deb) Karlberg of Wheatland, Wyoming and David Wesley (Carol) Karlberg of Sumner, Nebraska, One sister: Arlene Potter of Flagstaff, Arizona, Eight grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews and other relatives and friends. Maurice was preceded in death by his wife of 62 years, Ellen, his parents, his brother and sister-in-law, Leland and Marge Karlberg, and brother-in-law, Lovell Potter. Memorial Celebration of Life will be held Tuesday, November 24, 2015, at 11:00 a.m. at United Church of Christ in Sumner, Nebraska with Pastor Ken Hutson officiating. Burial will be held prior to the memorial service in Sumner Cemetery. Visitation will be held Monday, November 23, 2015, from 5-7 p.m. at the Reynolds-Love Funeral Chapel in Lexington. Memorials are suggested to the family for later designation. Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be directed to the family through: reynoldslovefuneralhome.com.