William F. "Bill" Blankenau, 79, of Lincoln, Nebraska, formerly Dodge, Nebraska, passed away on Wednesday, April 16, 2014. He was born on September 18, 1934 in Dodge to Herman & Christina (Lienen) Blankenau. He served in the US Air Force and was later an electrical technician for the Federal Aviation Administration.

Bill met his sweetheart Rita at a dance, and they were married for 56 years and raised eight children.

To say Bill was an avid outdoorsman is an understatement. It was never too early to go fishing, nor too cold to go hunting. Nearly every photo of Bill shows him displaying a successful catch. Bill enjoyed a long retirement in Moses Lake, Washington with plenty of fishing and hunting with Kay, his black lab.

Bill is survived by his wife, Rita of Lincoln; children, Gary Blankenau of Sweden, Lori Wood & husband Doug of Seattle, WA, James "Jimmy" Blankenau of Beatrice, NE, Annie Blankenau McCall & husband Jim McCall of Seattle, WA, Dan Blankenau & wife Monica of Lincoln, NE, Bill Blankenau & wife Angela of Manhattan, KS, Joe Blankenau & wife Monica Snowden of Wayne, NE and Diane O'Neil of Alamosa, CO; 18 grandchildren; brothers (spouses), Tony (Elaine) Blankenau of Dodge, NE, Herman Blankenau of Denton, TX, Frank (Darlene) Blankenau of Lincoln, NE, and Edmund (Britta) Blankenau of Omaha, NE.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Richard and granddaughter, Maya.

A Rosary service will be at 9:15 am Monday followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 am Monday at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, 1940 S. 77th Street, Lincoln, NE. Monsignor Liam M. Barr will officiate. Burial will be in St. Joseph's Cemetery in Dodge, Nebraska at 2:00 pm Monday. Viewing will be from 1 - 9pm Saturday & 9am - 9pm Sunday at Butherus, Maser & Love Funeral Home, 4040 A Street, Lincoln, NE.

Condolences may be left @ www.bmlfh.com.