Gwendolyn Lena (Friedli) Hershberger went to be with her Lord and Savior on Dec. 27, 2023, at the age of 96. She was born March 22, 1927, at home on the Friedli family farm near Salem Church in Seward County, close to Milford. Her parents were Rudolph and Clara (Gake) Friedli.
As a child, Gwen attended Glendale District #49, a country school located 1.5 miles from her home. She continued her education at Milford High School, graduating in 1944. Following high school, Gwen moved to Lincoln to attend the Lincoln School of Commerce. Her first job after graduation was as a secretary for the Department of Education in the State Capitol building. She subsequently transferred to the Nebraska State Attorney General’s office, where she worked until 1953. Gwen then worked as a legal assistant for Jay Dunlap in Milford before transitioning her working career in 1965 to Union Bank & Trust Company in Lincoln. She retired in 1992 after spending 27 years with Union Bank & Trust Company.
Gwen married Elwood Hershberger in 1949. They raised their two sons, Mike and Tom, in Milford, where they were active members of the United Methodist Church and Assembly of God Church. Gwen and El celebrated 65 wonderful years together before Elwood’s passing in 2014.
Gwen was known to her five grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren as Great Grandma Gwen (GGG). She and Elwood spent much of their time attending sports events, school activities and church events. One of Gwen’s favorite sayings was, ‘There’s nothing like spending time with family.”
Visitation is Saturday, Jan. 6, from 10 – 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 6, at the Milford United Methodist Church. A Celebration of Life service will be at 11 a.m. at the church, followed by a graveside service at 1 p.m. at Blue Mound Cemetery near Milford. Arrangements by Lauber Funeral and Cremation Services.
