Lon Wisdom

Lon Earl Wisdom, 85, of Sutherland, Nebraska, passed away on September 14, 2026, surrounded by family. He was born to Hurshel Harry Wisdom and Vera Lee Hughes Wisdom on October 7, 1940, in Hot Springs, Arkansas.

Because his father worked in construction, Lon’s early years were spent moving to various places across the country. The family settled in Grant, NE, in 1951, where Lon attended secondary school. He graduated from Perkins County HS with the Class of 1958. In high school. Lon was active in sports and spent countless hours under the hood, learning about cars alongside his buddies. Those early days of tinkering and learning helped him develop the mechanical skills that would remain with him throughout his life and likely sparked his lifelong love of classic cars. In those years, Lon also worked for his dad, learning the construction trade, and at the local movie theater. He loved talking about his days running the old film projectors in the booth.

After graduation, Lon enlisted in the Army National Guard of Nebraska, 168th Artillery, and continued his construction career. Lon met his wife, Virginia Ann Kennedy, in 1960 at a Hadley Barrett dance at the Sutherland Legion Hall. They married on December 28, 1963. In 1965, Lon was honorably discharged from the National Guard as Staff Sergeant (E-6). During their first years of marriage, Lon and Virginia lived in both Sutherland and Ogallala. Lon worked for TRW as a production supervisor and sales team member. In 1967 and 1971, their daughters, Dawn and Heather, were born, completing their family circle. In 1972, the couple purchased their first family home in Sutherland when Lon began work as a journeyman electrician with the Union Pacific Railroad. He dedicated the next 30 years to the railroad before retiring in 2002. Lon and Virginia remained in Sutherland for the rest of his life. Virginia, the love of his life and his partner of 63 years, was by his side through all his life’s journey.

Faith and family were Lon’s top priorities. As a man of great faith, he devoted many hours to studying God’s Word and trusted his Lord and Savior to carry him through each day. His New Testament, which he lovingly called his “heartguard,” was always tucked safely in his shirt pocket close to his heart. Lon was a supportive father. He logged countless hours sitting in the bleachers cheering on the Sailors, listening to concerts, taste-testing the 4-H cooking experiments, and helping Dawn earn Girl Scout badges. The Wisdoms loved traveling in their trusty Toby motorhome to beautiful places. Their favorite destination was Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone, where they spent many happy days hiking, fishing, and canoeing. Lon and Virginia also loved golfing, gardening, and traveling to car shows.

Perhaps Lon’s favorite pastime was working with his hands. Lon was a skilled craftsman who could make almost anything. He remodeled their homes, built furniture, and made many beautiful keepsakes for his family. He was an all-around “Mr. Fix It.”

Through shared interests, Lon developed many lasting friendships. He was active in black powder muzzleloading and enjoyed weekends at rendezvous. Lon hand-crafted many of the rifles, traditional gun accessories, and period clothing he used for these outings, taking great pride in their craftsmanship. He also developed a deep appreciation for Native American culture and artistry. This appreciation led him to learn the traditional crafts of hand beading, quilling, and leatherwork. He even built his own teepee, and his family helped him find the straightest lodgepole pine for the poles on one trip to the Grand Tetons. Several times, Lon set up “the lodge” at school and spoke to Sutherland 4th graders as a part of their Nebraska history experience.

Lon also loved building classic vehicles and restored a 1953 Chevy and 1939 Ford pickup. He enjoyed showing them in car shows and at the annual Sutherland 4th of July parade. He truly appreciated the time spent with friends who shared his passion for classic vehicles.

Lon was preceded in death by his parents and his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Dave and Rosie Kennedy. He is survived by his loving wife, Virginia; his brother, Michael (Dena) Wisdom; his daughters, Dawn Wisdom and Heather (Jason) Marquardt; and his granddaughters, Daisha Marquardt, and Jaimee and Bethany Salgado. He also leaves behind his sisters-in-law, Gerry Kennedy and Jeanie Kennedy (Ross Dinwiddie), along with many nieces and nephews, and his beloved corgi, WigB.

Services for Lon will be held on Friday, October 2nd, at 10:00 a.m. at Sutherland Presbyterian Church in Sutherland, Nebraska, followed by inurnment at Sutherland Riverview Cemetery.

In honor of Lon’s love of classic vehicles, family and friends are invited to bring their classics and join the funeral procession to the cemetery after the service.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, October 1st, from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., with the family present from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Odean Colonial Chapel.

Memorials may be made to the Sutherland Volunteer Fire Department.

Online condolences may be shared at odeanchapel.com.

Odean Colonial Chapel is assisting the family with arrangements.