Bud W. Vassar

Bud W. Vassar, 91 of Homer, NE passed away on Saturday, March 1, 2014 at Regency Square Care Center in South Sioux City, NE. Services will be at 11:00 A.M. Thursday, March 6th at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Homer. Rev. Barbara Hansen and Vicar David Hawkins will officiate. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery with military rites conducted by the American Legion, Post 97 of Homer, NE. Visitation will be from 4:00 - 8:00 P.M. Wednesday with the family present from 6:00 - 8:00 P.M. and a prayer service at 7:00 P.M. Wednesday all at Meyer Brothers Morningside Chapel, 6200 Morningside Ave. Online condolences may be sent to www.meyerbroschapels.com. Bud was born November 5, 1922 in Walthill, NE; he was the son of John and Ollie (Rager) Vassar. Bud's father died when Bud was three years old. He grew up in Walthill living with his mother and sister in the home of his grandparents, George and Agnes Rager. Bud was active in sports throughout his life, participating in football, basketball, baseball and bowling. Bud graduated from Walthill High School in 1940. After high school, he worked for a gas station in Walthill and delivered fuel to area businesses and farms. On January 16, 1943, Bud entered the U.S. Army and was sent overseas to serve in France and Italy with the Fifth Army after being trained in radio repair. He served in Italy until the end of WW II. After the war, Bud worked at several jobs, eventually for Northern Natural Gas Company in South Sioux City, NE. He retired from Northern after 33 years in 1986. Bud married Mabel Johnsen Heck on December 6, 1951. Bud and Mabel lived in Homer in the same house for forty-two years until Mabel passed away in 1993. Bud continued to live in Homer until his health forced him to move to a care center. Bud served on the Homer Village Board and also served as Mayor. He was a member of the Buckland American Legion Post 97 for 65 years and was also a member of the V.F.W. He served as a volunteer fireman for 33 years. Bud started managing the Homer Hawks men's semi-pro baseball team in 1952. In the early years he also played in addition to managing. He continued to manage through 1978. He took one year off in 1965. His record was 529 wins and 165 losses over a 25 year period. Bud received the Medal of Honor in the Nebraska Baseball Hall of Fame in 1991 and he was inducted into the Nebraska Baseball Hall of Fame in 1993. Bud is survived by his daughters: Connie Wasmund of Sioux City, Vicki Hoffman (Ron) of Charles City, IA, Susie Terminesi of South Sioux City, NE, Debra Mitchell (Tom) of Sioux City, and Rhonda Wipping of Homer, NE; his grandchildren: Randy Wasmund, Kenny Wasmund, Misti Rogstad, Ronda Eubanks, James Taylor, Sarah Schmitt, Heather Penningroth, Dana Ratigan, Chad Mitchell, Stephanie Mitchell, Jason Tuttle, Justin Tuttle, and Tori Wipping; 25 great-grandchildren and 8 great-great grandchildren; his sister: Norma Graves of South Sioux City, NE; special neighbors: Milt and Carol Eloe and many nieces and nephews. Bud was preceded in death by his wife: Mabel, his parents and grandparents, his step father, Warren Berger, two sons in law: Kent Wasmund and Greg Wipping, and his nephew, Kelly Graves.