John "Jack" Aitken

On September 3, 1929 a bouncing baby boy arrived at a farm east of Vesta, Nebraska as Courtney and Ellen (Murphy) Aitken welcomed their seventh child.   John William Aitken was the "baby" of the family and some of his siblings said he was spoiled! Jack-as he was called-attended Limrick country school and graduated in 1946 from Tecumseh High School.  

Jack married Eileen Broady in Feb. 1954 and five children were born to this union: Patricia Ann, Timothy John, Kathryn Marie, Jean Ellen and Susan Maureen.  Jack and Eileen lived on the family farm and Jack farmed with his dad.  Jack had always used Archer Petroleum Lubricates and in 1961 he accepted the job as District Manager of south central Nebraska.  The family moved to Ravenna.  Jack retired  from Archer in 1987.

Jack and Wauna (Lawrence) Russell were married in 1984 and in 1988 moved to Tecumseh to Wauna's home place. His first endeavor was to plant trees. He loved oak trees and planted 13 different varieties of oaks, many started from acorns.  Jack and Wauna planted over 110 trees (some were replacements) which provided lots of shade and lots of leaves. 

 Jack also collected automobile literature from an early age.  He put together models until hand tremors stopped that.  Then he collected models.  He loved the Dusenbergs.  Wauna would ask him what that car was and he'd tell her, plus the history of it-sometimes more than she wanted to know!

Jack was proud of his service in the Army National Guard. He served from 1950 to 1959 and retired a Master Sergeant in Company A 195th Tank Battalion.  He loved to get together with former members and reminisce about the fun they had.   Jack and Wauna adopted two Shih-tzu pups, Willy and Shorty and they were their "boys."  Willy was Jack's dog and went everywhere with him and Willy would hang out the passenger side window as he went to town with Jack to get the paper. Lots of people recognize Willy.  Shorty was quiet and Willy was his hero and leader. 

Jack's family was his pride and joy.  He loved to brag about them.  Jack also loved seeing the new little great grand babies.  When Susan, his youngest, passed away, it broke Jack's heart as she was his baby.  And later he lost Steve, his son-in-law and Lance, his grandson.  More sadness.  

Jack was diagnosed in Omaha Dec. 14, 2011 as having Lewy Body Dementia.  On Dec. 14, 2012 he was admitted to Belle Terrace, where he remained until his death on September 28, 2016, having reached the age of 87 years.

 He is survived by his wife, Wauna Aitken of Tecumseh, children, Patricia Shrader of Ravenna, Timothy (Cindy) Aitken of Dannebrog, Kathryn (Tim) Lammers of Ravenna and Jean (David) Luth of Ravenna, son-in-law, Lon Zeller of Salem, S.D., step-children, Nancy (Mike) Naperstek of Plainview, Daniel (June) Russell of Lincoln, Mary (Owen) Stockton of Glenwood, IA and Don (Freida) Russell of Sante Fe, NM, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Angie Shrader, Jessica, Andrew and Joshua; Matt Shrader (Amy), Evan and Dylan; James Aitken, Joshua Aitken, Cameron Aitken and Courtney Aitken; Krysta (Kyle) Huse, Kason and Kolby; Justin Lammers; Amanda (Matt) Nielsen, Hayden; Clinton Luth; Britney ( Matt) Hagsten, Lily Sue; Derek Zeller and step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren. 

 Jack was preceded in death by his parents, daughter, Susan Maureen Zeller, son-in-law, Steve Shrader, grandson, Lance Shrader, brothers, Tom Aitken and Jim Aitken and sisters, Hildreth Deboer, Helen Cook, Jean Kincaid and Joan Piersol. 

   Mass of Christian Burial Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, October 1, 2016, St. Andrew Catholic Church in Tecumseh, Nebraska with Father Craig Clinch officiating.    Visitation will be at the Wherry Mortuary in Tecumseh, Friday, September 30, 2016 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m, with family greeting friends from 3-5 p.m.  Rosary will be recited at 6:00 p.m. Friday evening at St. Andrew Catholic Church in Tecumseh.   Memorials may go to the family’s choice.    Interment will be in the St. Andrew Catholic Cemetery, Tecumseh, Nebraska, with full military honors by the Nebraska National Guard Funeral Honors Team and Tecumseh VFW Post #8221.   Condolences may be left @ www.wherrymortuary.com.

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