Obituary of Bill Meredith

MEREDITH MAURICE Maurice W. ‘Bill’ Meredith, age 90 of Yankton, SD passed away early Friday, January 31, 2020 at Avera Sacred Heart Hospital under hospice care. Bill Meredith was born June 7, 1929, to William and Clara (Kreifels Schmitz) Meredith, in Nebraska City, Nebraska. He grew up on farms in southeastern Nebraska. His early school years were spent at St. Joseph’s in Paul, Nebraska, then St. Benedict’s in Nebraska City. He attended high school in Dunbar and Otoe, finishing the last 1½ years at and graduating in 1947 from St. Bernard’s Academy/Lourdes in Nebraska City. He served in the Naval Reserves for eight years. Bill married the love of his life, Rowena Vera Allen at Clay Center, Nebraska, on August 18, 1950. To this union six children were born: Teresa, Peggy, Jane, Maurice William II, Mary, and Norma. Faith, family, and hard work were the foundation of his life; friendships were an important part as well. Bill worked as a contractor in the construction business, living and working in numerous places in Nebraska, Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, South Dakota, Wyoming, Colorado, and finally settling in Yankton, where he was co-owner of Neufeld Contractors and then Gamco, Inc. He was a member of Sacred Heart Parish and the Knights of Columbus. He enjoyed his past memberships in the Elks and Moose Clubs, and his time as a Boy Scout Leader. In his spare time, he enjoyed fishing, gardening, coin and stamp collecting. His passion was airplanes of all kinds. He always put the needs of his family ahead of his own, and made many personal sacrifices to ensure that those needs were met. Bill was preceded in death by his wife; parents; siblings Clara, Catherine, Louise, Lucille, Aloysius, Sister Teresa Marie, Herb, Leona, Roger, and Lawrence; grandson Jamie Sorensen; great grandson Ethan Crossman; son-in-law Randy Fender, and one step grandchild. He is survived by daughters Teresa (Wally) Bosch, Yankton; Peggy (David) Sorensen,Yankton; Jane Fender, Vermillion, SD; Mary (Maria) Meredith, Saint Paul, MN; and Norma (Ron) Bartikowsky, Yankton; and son Maurice (Teresa) Meredith, Springfield, SD; 8 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; 1 great-great-grandson; 1 step grandchild; 4 step great-grandchildren; and brothers James Meredith, Vista, CA; and Harvey Meredith, San Antonio, Texas. Memorials may be directed to Benedictine Mission House, PO Box 528. Schuyler, NE 68661; KYNT Radio Rosary, Yankton; Sacred Heart Cemetery Fund, Yankton; and St. Bernard’s Academy/Lourdes High School, Nebraska City, NE.