May 2018 – Members of the Nebraska Funeral Directors Association (NeFDA) celebrated 132 years of funeral service during their 2018 Annual Convention, May 8-10 at the Embassy Suites in Lincoln. More than 120 attendees participated in continuing education sessions, met with exhibitors in a full exhibit hall and enjoyed networking activities. Educational sessions included: presentations about insurance; understanding the Catholic funeral liturgy; generational differences in the workplace; cremation; formaldehyde exposure; helping families cherish the memories; and a Nebraska Issues Forum.
A memorial service was held honoring those in the funeral industry who have lost a loved one. Later, members enjoyed an evening banquet to honor outgoing president William Cutler IV from Heafey Heafey Hoffman Dworak Cutler Mortuaries in Omaha and to welcome the new president Misty Brouillette from Metz Mortuary in York. The entertainment for the evening was magician Todd Lamanske.
During the annual meeting, Cutler read a proclamation from Governor Ricketts, congratulating NeFDA members on their 132 years of service to Nebraska citizens and proclaiming the week of May 6-12, 2018, as Funeral Service Professionals Week. NeFDA members also elected a new secretary, Paul Seger from Colonial Chapel Funeral Home in Lincoln. The members of the 2018-19 NeFDA Board of Directors are:
President: Misty Brouillette, Metz Mortuary, York
President-Elect: Brittney Voss, Dugan Funeral Chapel, Fremont
Secretary: Paul Seger, Colonial Chapel Funeral Home, Lincoln
Treasurer: Jim Wintz, Wintz Funeral Home, Hartington
Immediate Past President: William Cutler, IV, Heafey Heafey Hoffman Dworak Cutler Mortuaries, Omaha
Director and District 1 President: Marvin Olson, Forest Lawn Funeral Home, Omaha
Director and District 2 President: Brad Perdue, Zabka Funeral Home, Seward
Director and District 3 President: Tray Van Metre, Brockhaus Funeral Home, Creighton
Director and District 4 President: Michael Butler, Livingston-Butler-Volland Funeral Home, Hastings
Director and District 5 President: Cody Bridgman, Bridgman Funeral Home, Scottsbluff
Director and District 7 President: Craig Draucker, Draucker Funeral Home, Ogallala
Director and District 8 President: Trent Wagner, Solt-Wagner Funeral Home, Central City
About the NeFDA: The Nebraska Funeral Directors Association consists of members from across the state. The association promotes high ethical standards and helps its members provide meaningful service to families.