The Rev. Paul Allen Quackenbush was born Nov. 1, 1928, in his family home in DeWitt. His parents were William Quackenbush and Bulah (Waldo) Quackenbush. Paul passed away Aug. 1, 2023, in the Tabitha Care Home in Crete at the age of 96.
Paul attended kindergarten through third grade at the DeWitt grade school. He continued his middle school and high school education at the DeWitt Public School. Paul’s mother taught him how to read. His favorite gift from Santa Claus was books. He always had his head in a book. Paul’s father taught him how to drive the horses while putting up hay. One of the favorite things Paul liked to do was drive nails. His dad would buy him a box of nails and give him some old boards to occupy his time.
In high school, Paul met the love of his life. Betty Simpkins caught his eye. Two years after high school, Paul attended the University of Nebraska, majoring in Voc Agriculture. He was a member of the Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity. Paul became the state vice president of the FFA organization. He traveled around Nebraska speaking to other FFA members, meeting many friends and memories were made.
Paul and Betty got married in June 1947, and they built a home west of DeWitt. Paul had a Grade A Dairy farm for 18 years and also began doing artificial insemination throughout three counties in Nebraska. He was a member of the American Breeding Association. Paul and Betty had six kids. Three boys, and then three girls – Terry, Larry, Jerry, Mary, Kerry and Sherry. Paul always told people if a seventh child were to come along, their name would be Cherry Pie.
Paul and his family attended the EUB church west of DeWitt. He became interested in religion and started training through the Methodist organization in Memphis, Tennessee, by mail. Paul attended the Theology Perkins School at Southern Methodist and the University of Dallas, Texas. He studied four years with three other students to become ordained in the Lincoln Methodist Church. Paul began his pastor duties at the Swanton Methodist Church, Helvey Methodist Church, Hallam Methodist Church, Cortland Methodist Church, Western Methodist Church and Clatonia Methodist Church. Paul retired in Clatonia and Paul and Betty began traveling and enjoying retirement.
Paul, and several other gentlemen, began to develop the first NRD Natural Resources District in this area. He served as chairman of the Lower Big Blue Natural Resources Board of Directors. Local farmers were needing protection from floods from the Turkey Creek and Swan Creek areas. Watersheds were built for these locations, which provided safety to local residents from flooding.
Paul joined with the Mason organization in Cortland, the Blue Lodge. His father, William Quackenbush, was also a Mason. Paul went on to be a Master of the Highland Masonic Lodge #194 of Cortland. Paul became a member of the Scottish Rite, Lincoln, and a member of the Sesostris Temple of the Shrine, also in Lincoln, reaching the 32 degree.
Paul had an extensive farm operation which is now handled by grandson, Brian Quackenbush.
Paul was preceded in death by his parents, William and Bulah Quackenbush; wife, Betty Mae Simpkins Quackenbush; brothers, Ray Quackenbush and Lynn Quackenbush; and sons, Terry Quackenbush and Jerry Quackenbush.
Paul is survived by special friend, Donnis Aksamit; children, Larry Quackenbush, Mary Quackenbush, Kerry and husband Terry Meyer, and Sherry Quackenbush; grandchildren, Brian Quackenbush, Clayton Quackenbush, Adam Quackenbush, Dillon Quackenbush, Caleb Meyer and wife Cali, Jacqueline and husband Jeremiah Nemecheck, Amanda and husband Tony White, Alexandra Stelts and fiancé Jordan Abbiatti, Tracey Quackenbush, and Laura Lindvall. He also has several great-grandchildren.
The funeral service was Aug. 7 at the DeWitt United Methodist Church. Memorial contributions are suggested in care of the family for future designation. Arrangements by Kuncl Funeral Home.
