Wayne & Angela Harr

Wayne G. Harr, 95, passed away on Saturday, Dec. 12, 2015, at Country Health Care and Rehab in Gifford, Ill., and Angela L. Harr, 93, passed away on Saturday, Dec. 26, 2015, at the Waterford at Bridle Brook in Mahomet, Ill. After 68 years of marriage, they died within two weeks of each other.

Wayne, son of James and Edna (Mercier) Harr, was born on Nov. 17, 1920, in Sidney, and Angela, daughter of Joseph and Catherine (Treinen) Ruttner was born on May 9, 1922, in Sunol. They were life-long members of St. Patrick's Catholic Church, where they were married on May 21, 1947, and where their joint funeral will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 8, 2016, officiated by Father Jim Heithoff. A rosary and wake service will be held at St. Patrick's Church on Thursday, Jan. 7 at 6 p.m.

Angela graduated from Sunol High School as the class of 1938 valedictorian and attended Chadron State Teachers College for 3 years. Wayne graduated from St. Patrick's High School. Both served the war effort during World War II: Wayne as a Marine in the Pacific Theater and Angela as a secretary at Sioux Ordinance Depot. Wayne served as a radio operator and participated in action at Guadalcanal; Tarawa, Gilbert Islands; Saipan, Marianas Islands; and Tinian, Marianas Islands. After the War, they met at a church study club social and fell in love on the dance floor at Krueger's Lake. During their retirement years, they continued to spend many happy weekends dancing to live music of the Big Band Era across Nebraska and northeastern Colorado.

Prior to and following his military service, Wayne worked for the Union Pacific Railroad as a clerk, first in Sidney and then in North Platte. Angela worked for Cheyenne County for 25 years in the Assessor's Office and the County Clerk's office, where she served as Deputy County Clerk for many years. Each was known for their attention to detail and willingness to help customers with courtesy and efficiency.

Wayne and Angela were preceded in death by their parents, their son Gerald Harr, Wayne's sister Wilma, and Angela's brothers Francis and Kent Ruttner. They are survived by their son James Harr and his wife Mary of Hemet, Calif., and their daughter Janel and her husband Paul of Mahomet, Ill., 10 grandchildren, and 4 great-grandchildren.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Sidney or the Wounded Warrior Project.

Gehrig-Stitt Chapel & Cremation Service, LLC is in charge of Wayne and Angela's care and funeral arrangements. Friends may stop at the Gehrig-Stitt Chapel on Thursday from 1 to 4 p.m. You may view Wayne and Angela's Book of Memories, leave condolences, photos and stories at http://www.gehrigstittchapel.com.