Larry "Pete" Lee Vonderfecht

Larry Lee "Pete" Vonderfecht was born on November 24, 1943 to Elmer and Laura (Essman) Vonderfecht in Crete, Nebraska. He was welcomed home by older sister Barbara. Pete was raised on the family homestead west of Clatonia.  Little Pete could be seen helping Big Pete on the farm throughout his childhood. He graduated from Clatonia High School in 1961. After graduating high school, Pete attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He graduated in 1965, furthered his education and graduated from UNL Pharmacy school in 1969.

While working at Gilmour Danielson Pharmacy in downtown Lincoln, a young lady caught his eye while she was working at a nearby dental office. This relationship blossomed, and he married Patricia Moon on July 2, 1965. Together, Pete and Pat had three sons: Scott Lee, Stephen Ray and Sean Michael. In 1969, Pete and Pat moved to Pawnee City where Pete worked as a pharmacist at Colwell Pharmacy. In 1976, Pete purchased the drugstore and changed its name to Pete’s Pharmacy. He worked there until his recent semi-retirement. Throughout the years, Pete, with Pat by his side, proudly served the community and surrounding area. Pete’s Pharmacy was the first pharmacy in the state of Nebraska to transition to a computerized system. Pete was a dedicated pharmacist who would often hand deliver medications to homes, the local hospital and nursing home.

Pete loved being a dad, but his heart grew bigger once he became a grandfather. He enjoyed watching all of their many activities. They were his greatest joy.  Even as Pete’s health started to decline, his big personality still shone through. We can all smile as we reflect fondly on how he has touched our lives. Pete passed away October 8, 2021 at Pawnee County Hospital with family by his side.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Elmer and Laura (Essman) Vonderfecht and in-laws Myrlen and Lois (Miller) Moon.

He is survived by Patricia, his loving wife of 56 years, sister, Barb (Dean) Rocke, brother-in-law, Gary (Erlinda) Moon, sons, Scott (friend Haylee Williams) Vonderfecht, Steve (Deb) Vonderfecht and Sean (Kelli) Vonderfecht, grandchildren, Ethan Vonderfecht, Thomas (Kira) Vonderfecht, Jonah (April) Vonderfecht, Caleb (Brooke) Vonderfecht, Madelyn Vonderfecht, Emily Vonderfecht, Derek Vonderfecht, Andrew Vonderfecht, Jordan (Emily) Zwickl and Megan (Jake) Johnson, nephews, Jeff (Susan) Rocke, Greg (Barb) Rocke and Glenn Moon.  Also left to cherish his memory are many cousins, great nieces, great nephews, and countless treasured friends.

Memorial service will be 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 16, 2021 at Zion Lutheran Church, Pawnee City, Nebraska.  Reverend Tim Llewellyn officiating.  Visitation on Friday, October 15, 2021 from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. with family greeting friends from 6-8 p.m. at Wherry Mortuary, 919 G Street, Pawnee City, Nebraska. Inurnment at a later date at the Pawnee City Cemetery. The service was live-streamed on the Wherry Mortuary/Wherry Monument Facebook page and a link to the livestream is now available at the very bottom of Pete's webpage.  Memorials to the Pawnee County Memorial Hospital Medical Foundation.  Online condolences may be left at www.wherrymortuary.com. Services entrusted to Wherry Mortuary, Pawnee City, Nebraska.

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