Ambrose Alex Shemek (Hermie)

Tarnov, NE

1940-41, 1793, Lodge, SP-4,

Ambrose Alex Shemek died peacefully at the Tabitha Journey House hospice residence in Lincoln on Friday, Jan. 22, 2016, surrounded by family.

Ambrose "Hermie" was born July 14, 1921, in Tarnov to parents James Shemek Sr. (Tarnov, Poland) and Sophia Chohon Shemek (Tarnov, Nebraska). He was the 11th of 12 children. In 1949, he married Irma Jean "Jean" Schmidt (1930-2007) of Lincoln.

He is survived by daughters, Theresa Reeves of Lincoln, Eileen Shellhouse (Doug Bryant) of Kingwood, Texas, Deanna Shemek (Tyrus Miller) of Santa Cruz, California, and Joan Pauley (David Pauley) of Lincoln. Additional survivors include brother, Clarence Shemek of Columbus; grandchildren, Cleveland Reeves (Tina Reeves) of Lincoln, Heather Reeves of Lakewood, Colorado, Erica Green (George Green) of Boulder, Colorado, and Sean Pauley and Kathryn Pauley of Lincoln; and great-grandchildren, Jackson Ambrose Reeves of Lincoln, June Green of Boulder, Colorado, and Kendal Reeves of Lincoln.

Ambrose spent his youth in Tarnov, where he attended school and worked on the family farm. A high point in his life was his enlisted service to the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) Camps from 1939-1940. Assigned to the "Doodlebug" crew in the Black Hills of South Dakota, Ambrose helped build roads and cabins that are still enjoyed today by visitors to the area. The Black Hills became a favorite destination for family vacations, the most recent of which he enjoyed in 2008. Ambrose moved to Lincoln as a young man and worked briefly for Goodyear. He was then hired by the Lincoln Drug Company, where he processed pharmaceutical orders for shipping to pharmacies until his retirement in 1986.

Ambrose was a man of simple tastes. He loved his family and was surrounded by over 90 of them at his 90th birthday party in 2011. He loved his hometown of Tarnov and contributed generously to restorations of St. Michael's Catholic Church there. He loved music, especially polka music sung in his first language, Polish. And he loved trees: he planted over 200 of them on his small acreage in north Lincoln, cared for them, and spoke of them with passion even in his last days. Ambrose's gentle soul and quiet manner earned him the affection and admiration of many. His hard work and thoughtful management enabled a large family to survive and thrive. And his sense of humor cheered all who cared for him in his late years. He will be profoundly missed.

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