Delores was born on July 10, 1935 to Albin and Mary (Pacl) Kavan in Prague, Nebraska, the 5th of 7 Children. She grew up on the farm Southwest of Morse Bluff, Nebraska and attended District 54 country school and then graduated from North Bend High School in 1952. She enjoyed helping her parents while at home growing up with milking cows, tending to all the animals on the farm and also playing her accordian. After her graduation from North Bend High School, Delores worked at the Corner Café in North Bend from 1952 to 1954. She then worked at Gaughen Hardware and Well Drilling in North Bend from 1954 to 1962. At Gaughen's, she was the chief bookkeeper and Salesperson. Delores met the love of her life Jack Nitz in June of 1952 and started dating. They got engaged in June of 1955 and were married on January 14, 1956 at Sinai Lutheran Church in Fremont, Nebraska. To this union, 2 children were adopted from the Nebraska Children's Home in Omaha, Nebraska. After the wedding, they honeymooned in Denver, Colorado and Dallas, Texas. When they returned from their honeymoon, they moved into the basement of Jack's parents home Northwest of Cedar Bluffs, Nebraska, where they resided for nearly a year before moving to North Bend for a year. Following that, they resided on a small acreage West of Cedar Bluffs until 1962 when they returned to the Nitz Family farm following the loss of Jack's Father Joe Nitz. They resided on the Nitz Family Farm until 1999, moving to Valley View subdivision South of Fremont, Nebraska, until her passing.
Delores Co-Founded Jack Nitz & Associates Auctioneers and Land Brokers with her husband Jack in 1962, which she was Vice President and Chief Cashier until her retirement in 2003. She also held her Nebraska Real Estate License and enjoyed Real Estate Sales and Auctions.
Delores treasured her family most of all and always enjoyed getting together at the holidays. She was also very proud of her Czech Heritage and her large, extended family. She was also an avid doll collector and conducted many seminars throughout the region over the years. Delores always was willing to give of her time and enjoyed many clubs and organizations that she belonged to. Her family often joked that after her retirement, her social calendar never had much room for work, but she always managed time to keep a wonderful home and yet still find time to be at every activity that involved her family. These organizations included the Nebraska & National Auctioneers Association Auxiliaries, the Red Hat Society, Newcomers, Altrusa, Extension Club, Many 4-H Clubs, and so many more. Delores was inducted into the Nebraska Auctioneers Association Auxiliary Hall of Fame in 2009.
Delores is survived by her loving husband of 58 years Jack, Son and Daughter-in-Law Jay and Vicki Nitz and their children Courtney and husband Tyler Mensik of Morse Bluff and Son Justin Nitz of Cedar Bluffs, Daughter and Son-in-Law Jennie and Ray Rasmussen and their son Jeremy Rasmussen and Daughter Piper Rasmussen, Brothers Norman Kavan, Sr. of Cedar Bluffs, Donald & wife Karan Kavan of Morse Bluff and Sister Nancy and husband Jim Williams of Cedar Bluffs, Sisters-in-Law Marjorie Melton of Omaha, Agnes Kavan of Fremont and Dorothy Kavan of Lincoln, Many Nieces and Nephews, cousins and many friends. Delores was preceded in death by her parents Albin and Mary Kavan, Parents-in-Law Joe & Frances Nitz, Brothers Albert Kavan, Sr. and Melvin Kavan, Sister Irene Blatny and husband Ernest, Brother-in-Law Larry Melton and nephew Michael Williams.
Visitation with the family will be Thursday, February 6th at Sinai Lutheran Church from 3-7:00 PM with a Prayer Service immediately following at 7:00 PM. The funeral will be Friday, February 7th also at Sinai Lutheran Church at 10:30 AM. Immediately following the Service, a lunch will be served at the church with burial following the lunch at Sunrise North Cemetery on the Southeast edge of Wahoo, Nebraska.
Memorials may be made to Sinai Lutheran Church, the Nebraska Children's Home in Omaha, Nebraska or the Nebraska Auctioneers Association Foundation.
Ludvigsen Mortuary in Fremont is in charge of arrangements.
Online condolences may be left at www.ludvigsenmortuary.com.
Condolences(30)
Gary & Tami Blatny
Omaha, NE Monday, February 10, 2014 Jack & Family,Our sincere and deepest sympathy for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
Please remember...."Those we love don't go away, they walk beside us every day. Unseen, unheard but always near, still loved, still missed and very dear."
Respectfully,
Gary & Tami Blatny
Ray and Joyce
Glenvil, NE Sunday, February 9, 2014 We are so sorry for your loss. Jack, you and the family are in our prayers. God bless you all.Tom and Donna Sigman
Bellevue, NE Saturday, February 8, 2014 We are very sorry for your loss. Our sympathy to the Nitz family.Brenda Whealy
Omaha, NE Saturday, February 8, 2014 Vernell Johnson sends his sincere sympathy to you Jack and family. I (oldest daughter, Brenda) saw your wife's obituary in the Omaha World Herald and showed it to Dad. I remember the folks talking so highly of you over the years. Louise (Mom) died on Dec. 31. with the funeral at First Lutheran in Sioux Falls on Jan. 6. So Dad feels for you and again sends his deep felt sympathy. Brenda WhealyHugh Miller
Evansville, IN Saturday, February 8, 2014 Jack, Jay and family you have my sincere condolences.I will miss seeing Deloris, along with many of her other friends, at the auctioneers functions. See was a special lady and friend!!
Hugh Miller
Del and Norma Hartung
Fremont, NE Friday, February 7, 2014 Our deepest sympathy to the whole family. Deloris was a super nice lady.If we can do anything - give us a call.
God Bless You All!
Steve Wolfe
fremont, NE Friday, February 7, 2014 Jack, Jay, Jenny and families....I am so sorry to hear of the passing of Delores...She was a wonderful woman and a great role model for you all. I have many fond memories of her at the county fair and 4-H meetings that will always be in my mind. My deepest sympathy to you all at this time of loss, but we all, especially all of you, have many beautiful memories that will last foreverKaren & Daryle Peters
, TX Thursday, February 6, 2014 Jack, Jay, Jennie and families,When I think of Delores I can't help but smile--she always was such a positive person and enthusiastic about whatever was happening. May God surround you and comfort you. She will be missed.
Don and Dixie Voss
North Bend, NE Thursday, February 6, 2014 We are so sorry to hear of Delores death. We will remember what a beautiful lady she was. God's peace.Theresa Konecky Klein
Wahoo, NE Thursday, February 6, 2014 Jack, Jay and Jenny - our sympathies on losing your wife and mom. And wow, doesn't pancreatic cancer just s---! I have so many wonderful warm memories of Delores at cow shows and Guernsey picnics and 4-H events and county fairs. She was never lacking that big welcoming smile and kind greeting, and I will miss it at the County Fair this summer. We were blessed by the parents God gave us, weren't we! You all will be in our prayers! Theresa & Randy KleinMarie Konecky
Wahoo, NE Thursday, February 6, 2014 The Konecky family send our sympathies and will keep all your families in our prayersGary Nelson
Omaha, NE Thursday, February 6, 2014 Dear Jack, Jay, Jennie and familyWe at the Nebraska Children's Home would like to express our sympathy in the passing of Delores. May God be with you, uphold you, and give you many fond memories of Delores at this difficult time and in the years to come.
God Bless
Gary Nelson
Kendra Hower
Bennington, NE Thursday, February 6, 2014 I am so sorry for your loss. I really appreciated all you did for mom and dad. Thoughts and prayers with you and your family.Gary and Nancy Hopper
Fremont,, FL Wednesday, February 5, 2014 To the Nitz Family,We would like to send you our sympathy at this time of your loss.I hope you have a lot of memories of the happy times you all had with Delores.Memories are what keep us going after we lose a loved one.
Sincerely,Gary and Nancy Hopper
Gary and Gail Ryther
Excelsior Springs, MO Wednesday, February 5, 2014 Dear Nitz family members -- We express our sincere sympathy in your loss. It was an honor to know Delores and she will be sadly missed. May God bless you with his Grace and Love at this difficult time. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.Sincerely,
Gary and Gail Ryther
Anita Aasness
Fergus Falls, MN Wednesday, February 5, 2014 Jack and Jay and families, Our deepest sympathy to your families. I loved Delores she was such a kind lady with a big heart. She was so caring when I came to the Nebraska convention and always gave me that big hug at the NAA. Blessed be the memory of Delores!! I will surely miss her...Cherish the memories!Anita Aasness
Lee and Holly Voss
Dike, IA Wednesday, February 5, 2014 Jack, Jay, and Jenny I am so sorry to hear of your loss. I enjoyed visiting with her when I came to your auctions. She was always such a nice and pleasant person to talk to and I don't think I ever saw her do anything but smile!Roma Black & family
Wahoo, NE Tuesday, February 4, 2014 Our sympathy to all of you in your time of sorrow.Laurie Wittstruck Askew
Malin, OR Tuesday, February 4, 2014 Dear Nitz Family,I'm so sorry to hear of Delores' passing. She was gracious, classy and had a great smile. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Love, Laurie
John E Bush
Omaha, NE Tuesday, February 4, 2014 I am so deeply sorry for the loss of Dolores. A wonderful spouse and matriarch of a fabulous family. Please keep the wonderful memories foremost in your minds. I am thinking about and praying for you all.Bob and Amy Green
Springfield, NE Tuesday, February 4, 2014 Jennie and Family,We send our deepest sympathy and prayers to all of you. Every time we met your mother, wife, sister we thought what a wonderful woman she was.
Our thoughts are with you.
Amy and Farmer Bob
Dale Standley
Council Bluffs, IA Tuesday, February 4, 2014 Jack; Jenny, Jay and families: Our deepest sympathy to your entire family. Though we will not be able to be with in body, our thoughts and prayers will be with you and your family. Delores will be missed by all that knew her. Dale and Donna StandleyVlasta and Dick Roubal
Dodge,, NE Tuesday, February 4, 2014 So very sorry! She was a special grandma! You and Tyler are in out thoughts and prayers! You have our deepest sympathy!Vlasta and Dick Roubal
Jon Rasmussen
Savannah, GA Monday, February 3, 2014 Dear Jack, Jay and Jennie,I am so sorry for your loss. I know she will be greatly missed...
My thoughts and prayers are with y'all!!!
Grace and Peace, Jon
Leo and Tonja Blaha
Dodge, NE Monday, February 3, 2014 We are so very sorry for your loss and very blessed to have been a part of Delore's life. I can remember her smile and laugh as we played cards together. She will be missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with the whole family. God has gained a wonderful angel and she is looking down on you all with much love.Lindy & Regina
Curtis, NE Monday, February 3, 2014 Jack, Jay,Courtney & family, our deepest sympathy to you all. In the short time we knew her it was like we knew her for a long time. She always spoke & visited to us both. She will be truly missed by all.Doug "Sarge" Klaumann
Lincoln, NE Monday, February 3, 2014 Mrs. Nitz, I'm so sorry to hear of your passing. I've never met you, nor have I met any of your family other than Jennie. With that in mind, I have to tell you that you did a wonderful job raising her. She's a good friend and someone I look up to. Thank you for being a GREAT mom!Don & Mary Shonka
Cedar Bluffs, NE Monday, February 3, 2014 We are so sorry to hear of Delores' passing. You are all in our thoughts and prayers.Myron and Geri Anthony
Omaha, NE Monday, February 3, 2014 Dear Jack, Jay, Jenny,and Families,Please except our deepest sympathy. Delores was one of the nicest ladies we knew, she always had time for visiting.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Myron and Geri Anthony
Ora & Jerry Adler
Hastings, NE Sunday, February 2, 2014 We send our sympathy and prayers to you Jack, and also to your family. Delores was a great lady and will be missed by many. We are sorry we cannot attend the services on Friday as we are in Florida. We will have you all in our prayers on Friday morning. Dr. Jerry & Ora Adler