Obituary of Lawrence F. Peitz

PEITZ LAWRENCE ‘BUD’

Lawrence ‘Buddy’ Peitz, age 87 of Fordyce, NE passed away Saturday, January 20, 2024 at Avera McKennan Hospital, Sioux Falls, SD.  Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 AM, Tuesday, January 30, 2024 at St. Boniface Catholic Church, Menominee, NE with Rev. Jim Keiter officiating.  Burial will be in the parish cemetery.  Visitations will be 5 to 7 PM, Monday, January 29, 2024 at St. Boniface Catholic Church with a Wake service at 6:30 PM.  Visitations will resume one hour prior to the service at the church.  The Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Home & Crematory, Yankton, SD is assisting with the service details.  Online condolences may be sent at: www.opsahl-kostelfuneralhome.com.  Live streaming of Buddy’s service can be found at: https://my.gather.app/remember/buddy-peitz. 

Lawrence "Buddy" Peitz was born February 26, 1935, in Fordyce, NE, to Joseph and Josephine (Shafer) Peitz. He married the love of his life, Betty Shrempp, on August 27, 1957.

 Together Buddy and Betty created a beautiful family tree, one that bore lots of fruit and will continue to grow long after their departure. Buddy didn’t ask for a lot—just to be surrounded by family and to have meaningful work to do. He loved being on the farm and didn’t see much of a reason to leave. He found joy in working with his hands and providing for his family—not only on the farm, but also through several artistic talents he discovered later in life. He and Betty spent hours in the basement, crafting the perfect red blend to pair with their homegrown beef. His handcrafted woodwork hangs on the walls and stands tall in the homes of each of his 10 children and the homes of his grandchildren.

 Buddy was a man of faith and family. He was dedicated to his parish, St. Boniface, where he raised his family and led the rosary. He looked out for his neighbors; and loved nothing more than a friendly, (slightly competitive) game of Euchre with his friends and family.  In his final hours here on earth, he waited for all of his children to gather to say goodbye, before rejoining his beautiful bride in heaven.  

 Buddy is survived by three sons—Bruce (Nancy) of Fordyce, NE, Brian (Denise) of Fordyce, NE and Chris (Shelly) of Mitchell, SD; seven daughters—Lisa (Bill) Berry of Yankton, SD, Lori (Larry) Leader of Yankton, SD, Carla (Dave) Rothluebber of Fordyce, NE, Michelle (Ed) Lammers of Hartington, NE, Jenny Che'Raven of Crestone, CO, Dawn (Shayne) Pulver of Hendersonville, TN, and Nicole (Jay) Kim of Arvada, CO; 27 grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren; his brother—Jim Peitz of Crofton, NE, and sister—Florence Luft of Omaha, NE. He was preceded in death by his wife, Betty Peitz; parents, Joseph and Josephine Peitz; brothers, Richard Peitz and Ray Peitz; and sisters, Irene Wuebben and Jeanette Weisler.