Twila Voss

Twila Lorraine Voss, Lincoln, aged 68, passed from this earth to her heavenly home on Tuesday, July 1, 2015. She bravely endured the ravages of pancreatic cancer for three years. Twila was born in Central City, NE, to Gilbert and Ieleen Larsen. She grew up on a farm in Hamilton County near Marquette, NE and attended Marquette schools until 1961 when her family moved to North Platte. She graduated from North Platte High School in 1964 and was a member of the National Honor Society. Twila then attended Kearney State College, graduating in 1968 with a B.S. in Home Economics, and was a member of the Gamma Phi Beta Sorority at KSC. Twila taught Home Ec at Barr Junior High in Grand Island for five years and then at Kearney Junior High for two years. She later worked in the Lincoln Public Schools as a paraeducator primarily assisting special education students, retiring in 2011. Working with these children was a special passion of Twila's as she had a grandson with Down's syndrome. On June 2, 1973, Twila married Roger C. Voss at the First Lutheran Church in North Platte. They lived in Kearney for two years then North Platte for nine years, Sterling, CO, for four before moving to Lincoln in 1988. Throughout her married life Twila was active in the Lutheran Church; First Lutheran in Kearney, First Lutheran in North Platte, Peace Lutheran in Sterling and Southwood Lutheran in Lincoln. Twila lived her faith every day through her compassion and caring for everyone. She was also an excellent seamstress and loved to sew. Twila was a loving daughter, wife, mother and grandmother. She is survived by her mother, Ieleen Larsen, husband, Roger, son, Adrian (Emily), and daughters, Kristin Williams, and Megan (Andrew) Scott, all of Lincoln; and her grandchildren, Makayla and Jackson Scott, Quintin Dewitt and Adrianna Williams. Survivors also include her brother, Dan (Ann) Larsen, of Dayton, OH; brothers-in-law, Larry (Dolores) Voss, of Garner, NC, and Ron (Helen) Voss, of Esparto, CA; an uncle, Marion Larsen, of Grand Island, NE; and many nieces, nephews and cousins, including Linda Christensen (Gerald), of North Platte. Twila was preceded in death by her grandparents, in-laws, a sister-in-law, her father, and a grandson, Douglas Hoegemeyer. The family expresses its gratitude to Dr. Aaron Sasson and staff of UNMC, Dr. Nathan Green and staff of SENHOC, Dr. Patrick Bertolini and staff, and the staff of Tabitha Hospice Care for their dedication and care during this time. Cremation was chosen. A memorial service will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, July 7, 2015, at the Southwood Lutheran Church, 4301 Wilderness Hills Blvd, Lincoln (1/2 mile south of Yankee Hill on 40th St). As Twila loved the color yellow, the family requests that attendees be colorful and wear something yellow. Inurnment will be 11 a.m. Wednesday, July 8, in Fort McPherson National Cemetery. Memorials are requested for the Univ. of NE Foundation (pancreatic cancer research/Twila Voss), online at nufoundation.org, Southwood Lutheran Church or to the family for designation in the Lincoln community for special education. Friends are encouraged to participate in PurpleStride events to raise awareness of pancreatic cancer and raise funds for research and treatment of victims. Condolences may be left at bmlfh.com or odeanchapel.com. Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore is in charge of local arrangements.