11/8/1908 - 6/25/2014

Preceded in death by husband, John E. Hufford; parents, Ruduolph W. and Anna E. (Prinz) Olderog; brother, Preston Olderog. Survived by son, David Prinz Hufford; daughter, Mary E. Vondra (Thomas); seven grandchildren: Lisa, Crissie, Tom, Amy, Andrew, John, and Jennifer; nineteen great-grandchildren; sister, Frances J. Petersen.

The family will receive friends Friday, June 27th from 5pm to 7pm at the West Center Chapel.

SERVICES Saturday, June 28th at 10am, Grace Lutheran Church, 1326 S. 26 St. Interment, Mt. Auburn Cemetery.

Memorials are suggested to Grace Lutheran Church.

HEAFEY-HEAFEY-HOFFMANN DWORAK & CUTLER
Mortuaries and Crematories
7805 West Center Road
Omaha, Nebraska 68124
(402) 391-3900

For teacher Gertrude Hufford, 105, her love of education lasted long after retiring

By Chris Peters / World-Herald staff writer

Posted: Saturday, June 28, 2014

Throughout her 105-year life, Gertrude Hufford never had to go far to enjoy what she loved.

Born on Nov. 8, 1908, in Gretna, Hufford lived her entire life in the Omaha area, spending most of her career as a third- and fourth-grade teacher at Harrison Elementary School. Her love of friends, family and education kept her blissfully busy 40 years past her retirement from the Omaha Public Schools.

“She was meaningfully busy,” said her son, David Prinz Hufford. “She was God, church, family, country, school. That was just the way she was.”

Hufford, who died Wednesday, began teaching immediately after graduating from Omaha South High School in 1927, first in a one-room schoolhouse, then later at Harrison after earning her degree from the University of Omaha. In 1930, she married John E. Hufford and started a family. He preceded her in death.

Hufford taught Sunday school at Grace Lutheran Church while David and daughter Mary E. Vondra were young.  She remained active in the church from the day she joined in 1926 until her death.

On her 105th birthday, more than 100 people gathered to celebrate with her.

“She has a lot of friends in the church and was very involved in education,” David said. “She was a beloved teacher and she had a wonderfully long life.”

Her exceptionally long life was a family tradition. Her sister, Frances J. Petersen, will reach her 100th birthday in September. Her mother, who reached 105, had only one out of eight sisters die before reaching age 90.

Hufford kept busy with family, acting as a planner, a host and most notably, a revered baker. Whether it was her oatmeal raisin cookies, her white walnut cake or her husband’s favorite cherry pie, her treats left an impression.  “She was always wonderful in the kitchen,” David said. “She was a tremendous dessert maker; we’ll miss that a lot.”

Hufford’s children both carried on her love of education. David taught high-schoolers domestically and taught English overseas, while Mary helped educate families at Children’s Hospital in Omaha before retiring.

Other survivors include seven grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren.

Services will be at 10 a.m. today at Grace Lutheran Church, 1326 S. 26th St.