Louis A. Piva

Louis Piva, 90 of Lincoln, Nebraska and a longtime Chappell resident was called to heaven the beautiful Easter Sunday of April 5, 2015.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 A.M., Friday, April 10, 2015 in the St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Chappell with Fathers Antony Thekkekara and Todd Phillipson as co-celebrants. Burial will follow in the Chappell Cemetery. A Rosary Service will be held at 7:00 P.M., Thursday evening in the church.

Visitation will be held from 6:00 P.M. until the start of the Rosary at the church on Thursday evening.

Memorials may be made to St. Joseph’s Catholic Church and the Chappell Memorial Library.

Louis A. Piva was born in Lisco, Nebraska on August 10, 1924, the son of Paul and Maria Piva. He grew up in Oshkosh attending Oshkosh elementary and Garden County High School.

Following graduation Louis served in the Army Air Force Division. He was stationed in the Panama Canal and flew to every South American country.

He attended the University of Nebraska earning a teaching degree in vocational agriculture. His first teaching job was in Kimball, Nebraska. While teaching there, he met his future wife Ruth Hoffmeister, a home economics teacher. They were married July 16, 1953 at St. Patrick’s Church in Imperial, Nebraska. To this union were born three children: Kathryn, Tom and Mary Louise.

Louis also taught Ag and was the F.F.A. sponsor in Potter and Chappell. Summers were spent taking graduate classes at Colorado State University. Teaching was a love of Louis’ and he remained in contact with many past students.

He became Postmaster in Chappell and served many years until his retirement in 1990. Working with people was something he enjoyed. He had his ideal job after retirement, returning to his love of agriculture, he was a Federal Crop Adjuster.

Family was Louis’ greatest joy; he was a wonderful husband, father and grandfather. One of his pleasures was taking several grandparent/grandchildren vacations and family time together in Estes Park, CO. He had fond memories of his childhood with his brothers and uncles.

Louis was an avid reader; he loved gardening and being involved in the St. Joseph’s Catholic Church and the community. He served on the church council, was a lecture and a Eucharistic minister. He was active in Lion’s Club for many years, served on the Chappell School Board, Library Board and city tree planting committee. He was proud of being an active V.F.W. member.

Louis will be remembered for his happy attitude and kindness to others.

He is survived by his wife of 61 years Ruth; daughters: Kathryn (Steve) Phillips of Omaha, NE and Mary Louise (Tim) Murphy of Lincoln, NE; son Tom Piva of Lincoln, NE; grandchildren: Kristen Phillips; Patrick, Joseph and Philip Murphy; step-granddaughter Brooke Phillips Foster; brother John Piva; brothers and sisters-in-law: Max and Gladys Hoffmeister and Mary and Al Hillberry and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and brother Alfred Piva. 
 
 Holechek Funeral Home and Cremations in Chappell is serving the Piva family.