Wauna J. (Lawrence) Aitken

Wauna Jean Aitken passed away in Lincoln, Nebraska on Monday, January 23, 2023 at the age of 92. Wauna was born in Tecumseh, Nebraska on January 8, 1931 to Leonard and Laura (Goers) Lawrence. She grew up on a farm 1 ½ miles south of Tecumseh and attended Brush Hill School and graduated from Tecumseh High School in 1948. 

After graduating high school, Wauna married Jean Barde Russell in 1950 in Sydney, Iowa, and they had four children together. Wauna was always involved in the communities she lived in and volunteered in many types of settings. She went on to be an advertising manager for Allen’s department store and a director of community development in Hastings, and even ran for Mayor of that community and lost by just a small margin. She was also a secretary at several schools throughout her career.

On March 1, 1984, Wauna married Jack Aitken in Grand Island, Nebraska. A few years after their marriage, Jack and Wauna moved to the home where she was born and raised.  Wauna loved living on the farm, feeding her birds, taking walks to the mailbox, spending time with her dogs, and driving back and forth to town in her little truck. She also spent many hours watching and cheering for her beloved Huskers and taking in the sports of her grandchildren. The last few years she enjoyed spending time with her friend, Warren Krouse.

Wauna was a strong, loving matriarch of her family who loved to laugh and was never afraid to share her opinion. She had a favorite sweatshirt she wore around Christmas that had the following words, “This year, instead of gifts, I’m giving everyone my opinion.” 

Survivors include her children Nancy and Mike Naprstek of Plainview, Dan and June Russell of Lincoln, Mary Russell of Omaha, Don and Freida Russell of La Quinta, CA, Tom Fernau of Lincoln;  grandchildren and spouses: Katie and Justin Macken, Toni and Craig Kubicek, Richard and Sara Naprstek, Alex and Sarah Russell, Rachel Vrbka, John Vrbka, Abel Russell; step-children: Patricia Shrader, Tim and Cindy Aitken, Kathy and Tim Lammers, Jean and David Luth and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  Wauna was preceded in death by her parents, husband Jack Aitken and sister, Barbara.  ​

A Memorial Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, February 4, 2023 at the St. Andrew Catholic Church in Tecumseh, Nebraska with Father Christopher Kubat officiating.  The service will also be livestreamed on the Wherry Mortuary Facebook page.

Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Friday, February 3, 2023 at the Wherry Mortuary in Tecumseh, Nebraska.

Private family inurnment will be in the St. Andrew Catholic Cemetery, Tecumseh, Nebraska.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Humane Society or your favorite charity in her name. 

Online condolences may be left @ www.wherrymortuary.com.

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