Virlyn “Luke” L. Lukens, 85, and Marvel J. (Mefford) Lukens, 77, passed away Sunday, April 13, 2014 as a result of a traffic accident near Hoskins, NE. Funeral Services will be held on Friday, April 18, 2014 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in Emerson, NE; Pastor Gretchen Ritola will be officiating. The visitation will be Thursday, April 17, 2014 from 12:00 until 6:00 p.m. with a prayer service at 4:00 p.m. at the Munderloh-Smith Funeral Home in Emerson, NE. Burial will be at Rose Hill Cemetery in Emerson, NE. In lieu of flowers, memorial may be made to the family for future designation. Munderloh-Smith Funeral Home of Emerson, NE is in charge of arrangements.

Virly

Virlyn and Marvel Lukens.

n, the son of Charles Jr. and Mary (McDonald) Lukens was born November 14, 1928 in Bloomfield, NE. He joined the United States Army and served during the Korean War. Virlyn married Marvel J. Mefford on February 21, 1954, to this union, five children were born: Jerry, Barbara, Kathleen, Jolene and Bonnie. Virlyn farmed near Emerson and worked for the Emerson Co-op. He also worked as a gravel truck driver and ran the maintainer, and worked at Dohrman Manufacturing as a welder. Virlyn was a member of the Emerson Volunteer Fire Department. He enjoyed being outside, especially gardening, tinkering with lawn mowers, and fishing. He loved reading and baking. Virlyn was very proud to have been married to Marvel for 60 years, and deeply loved his family.

Marvel, the daughter of Taylor Zachary and Caroline (Berner) Mefford, was born on March 5, 1937 in Bloomfield, NE. She was a member of the Legion Auxillary and Women of the ELCA. She enjoyed reading, traveling, cooking, craftwork and spending time with her family. She was a wonderful mother and grandmother. Marvel was a longtime member of the Election Board in Emerson.

Virlyn is survived by his immediate family, sisters; Vi Langmack of Emerson, NE, Edna (Duane) Thurston of Omaha, NE, Elaine (Lyle) Jensen of Carroll, NE, and Evelyn Beckman of Bloomfield, NE, and brothers; Loran (Arlene) Lukens of Bloomfield, NE, Dennis Lukens of Paonia, CO, Lee Lukens of Creighton, NE, and Leland (Ella Mae) of Millard, NE.

Virlyn is preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Donald Lukens and Lyle Lukens, and infant brother, Billie, sisters, Phyllis Butler, Dorothy Groves, and Nellie Beckman.

Marvel is survived by her immediate family, sisters; Vivian Frank, of Creighton, NE, Nila (Marlin) Schuttler of Wayne, NE, Judy Skrivan of Bloomfield, NE, and Linda (Dennis) Huttman of Shelby, IA, brothers; Ferd (Ruth Ann) Mefford of Missouri Valley, IA, and Jack (Donna) Mefford of Brunswick, GA.

Marvel is preceded in death by her parents, brothers; Jerry Mefford, Pete Mefford, and Don Mefford, and sisters; Dorothy Downey and Lois Rosenberg.

They are both survived by their children, Barbara (Michael) Groene of North Platte, NE, Kathleen (Todd) Hauck of Madison, SD, Jolene (James) Reed of Brock, NE, Bonnie (Brian) Loberg of Wayne, NE, and Jerry Lukens of Lincoln, NE, and 10 grandchildren and 13 great- grandchildren.