Richard VonBergen Obituary

Richard “Dick” VonBergen, 88, of rural Dawson, Nebraska, died on Thursday, June 5, 2025, in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Dick was born on March 2, 1937, to Ralph and Claudia (Luse) VonBergen in Sabetha, Kansas. He graduated from Honey Creek High School in 1954. On August 5, 1956, he married Jean Wittwer at Zion Church in rural Dawson, which began a loving union, Dick and Jean cherished for 55 wonderful years. Dick was a member of the Auburn Rescue Squad and the Auburn Volunteer Fire Department for 15 years in Auburn, Nebraska. In his professional career, Dick dedicated 45 years to Magnolia Metal Corporation in Auburn, Nebraska, while also taking great pride in working on the family farm, which celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2019.

Dick enriched the lives of countless people by devoting his time and wisdom to planning and building several churches, and was an active and devoted member of the Auburn and Sabetha communities. Dick also found immense joy in tracing and documenting his family’s genealogy back to Switzerland, leaving a significant legacy of knowledge for future generations. Dick spent his spare time in his workshop, restoring antique tractors and trucks, as well as tending to his expansive garden. He was guided by unwavering faith and demonstrated a deep love and dedication to his family. His life of humble service and hard work served as an example to all who knew him.

Dick was preceded in death by his parents; his beloved wife, Jean; his sister, Margo Larson; his brother, Mike VonBergen, and his grandson, Zach VonBergen.

Dick is survived by his daughter, Vicki Giesecke of Lincoln, Nebraska; his two sons, Jay (Susi) VonBergen, and Jeff (Annette) VonBergen, both of Auburn, Nebraska; his grandchildren, Vicki’s daughters, Jessica Liechti and Kellie (Joe) Cave of Lincoln, Nebraska; Jay’s daughters, Jill VonBergen and Josh Hagglund of Omaha, Nebraska, Beth (Jamal) Strong of Surprise, Arizona; Jeff’s daughter, Katie (Ben) Combs of Roca, Nebraska; his ten great-grandchildren, Noah and Jayse Liechti, Brylee and Becker Cave, Julian, Miles, and Joslyn Strong, Trayson, AJ, and Samantha Combs; and his sister, Nikki Barcomb of Lawrence, Kansas

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, June 11, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. at NorthRidge Church in Sabetha, Kansas. The family will greet friends and loved ones on June 10, 2025, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at NorthRidge Church. Interment will be made in Wild Rose Cemetery located in rural Dawson, Nebraska. Memorial contributions are suggested to The Building Fund ~ NorthRidge Church, sent in care of Popkess Mortuary, 823 Virginia Street, Sabetha, Kansas 66534.