Barbara (Bohner) Seng died March 09, 2024 at Morrill County Community Hospital, Bridgeport, Nebraska at the age of 95. Funeral services will be held Thursday March 14, 2024, 1 pm at First Presbyterian Church in Bridgeport, Nebraska with Pastor Jonathan Berosek officiating. Visitation will be from 4-6pm at Bridgeport Memorial Chapel. Burial will follow at Oregon Trail Memorial Cemetery.
“Barb” was born on January 10, 1929 in Scottsbluff, Nebraska to Charles and Iris Bohner, the oldest of three children. She attended rural elementary school north of Scottsbluff, and graduated from Scottsbluff High School in 1946. She worked as a stenographer for Ivan Childs. She attended and graduated from West Nebraska Methodist Hospital School of Nursing in Scottsbluff in 1950. Barb worked there in Obstetrics until married to John Seng on January 1, 1951 and moved to Bridgeport. She worked in Veterans Memorial Hospital in Bridgeport for thirty years beginning in March of 1951. During that time, three years were spent doing private duty nursing in Alliance, both in homes and the hospital. She earned Red Cross Nurse status by volunteer work on Blood Procurement Cars in the early 1950’s. She had helped deliver nearly 400 babies in her career, and cared for over 10,000 patients.
From her marriage to John Seng, four children were born: Julie in 1951, Steven in 1953, Jonathan in 1955, and Sue in 1956.
The highlights of her nursing career: the recovery of those patients so severely ill or injured that they presented a real challenge in nursing care and in her words, "who obviously lived because of the grace of God, skilled physicians, and attentive nurses". She also said, "she felt that God gave her a talent and it was her duty to use it to the best of her ability". Barb received on March 16, 1971 the American Legion Outstanding Citizen of the Year Award for her service as a nurse.
After retiring from nursing, Barb worked with John in the farming operation, doing various jobs, such as bookkeeper, beet truck driver, checking cattle, running after repairs, etc. Later in life, she worked for Wiggins Feedyard doing office work until the age of 92.
Barb was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Bridgeport where she served in various capacities: organist, Sunday School teacher, Deacon, Elder, & played piano for Sunday School.
She is survived by her children: Julie (George) Labatto, Steven (Jennifer), Jonathan (Lana), Sue (Steve) Wiggins; 17 grandchildren, 37 great-grandchildren, 2 great-great-grandchildren; sisters-and brother-in-law: Betty Isbell, Carolyn (John) Brening, and Carol (Roland) Terrell.
Preceding her in death were her parents Charles & Iris Bohner, brother Malcolm Bohner, an infant brother, husband John, and brother-in-law Maurice (Shirley) Seng.
The Nebraska Nurses Honor Guard will conduct their tribute ceremony at the conclusion of the funeral service, honoring Barb’s many years of service.