Maurice J. “Pete” Cumro

Maurice J. “Pete” Cumro was born December 25,1923 at Hollenberg Kansas, passed away on December 29, 2024 at Fairbury, Nebraska at the age of 101 years and 4 days. Maurice was the fifth of seven children born to William C. and Margaret E. (Lyhane) Cumro.Maurice acquired the nickname “Pete” as a boy in school and it stayed with him his whole life. He graduated from Hollenberg High School in 1942. Maurice spent most of his life in the Hollenberg area and was a lifelong farmer-cattleman. Uncle Pete farmed with two of his brothers at Hollenberg and the “Cumro Brothers” were very well known and remembered throughout a rather large area, especially for their “Bull,” four legged and otherwise. Many people have recalled stories of buying livestock from the brothers, all the way from bulls to 4H calves. It was not uncommon to find a baby calf under a heat lamp in the shower stall or by the woodstove in the kitchen, or hearing Pete calling “come Bossy, come Broody !!!”. Like the biblical shepherd knew his sheep, Maurice knew his cows and his cows knew him.Uncle “Pete” was an active influence in the lives of 15 nieces and nephews. He was always interested and supportive of them and then later on their families, always sharing wisdom, wit and humor.Pete always had a love for music, especially polka music, he was a self-taught accordion player who was always happy to “squeeze out a tune” for whoever would listen, especially children. Later in life a cousin and a friend coaxed him into going to “Singles Dances” where his enjoyment for music expanded to include dancing, and he met the love of his life. At age 64, on October 22,1988 Pete married Viola Mae (Naylor) Lovgren in Washington. Along with a wife, Pete, acquired a “ready- made family” and stepped into the role of Father, Grandfather, and later, a most cherished role as Great Grandfather. Maurice and Viola were a “hat and glove” couple and their love for each other was very apparent, leading to some of the happiest years of his life. They resided at Hollenberg for about twelve years before relocating to Fairbury. After moving to Fairbury, he became a well-known fixture in town, making many friends and impressing people with his kindness, sense of humor, strength and unfailing dedication in caring for his wife.Even after moving to Fairbury, Hollenberg and the farm was Pete’s life. Up until this year he would make trips to the farm to check on the crops and see what was or wasn’t going on. He would fix fence or do whatever he could still physically do. He really relished his independence and lived at home until September of 2024. At age 99¾ he drove one of the Case Tractors through the parade in Steele City. He was especially proud of renewing his driver’s license last year at age 100. Though he didn’t feel the need for a 100th birthday party, he drove himself there and was surprised by the number of well-wishers in attendance in addition to the number of cards and calls he received.One of things he looked forward to daily was getting the mail and reading the news. He kept well abreast of what was going on, not only in this area but in the world as well. Up until the time of his death, Pete was very mindful of his business matters and paying his own bills, taxes, etc.Maurice was preceded in death by his wife Viola (2020), Mother and Father, Brothers: Adolph (2005), William 2001, Martin (2000), Dennis (1999), and Louis (2019). Sister: Catharine Nutsch (2015). Stepdaughter: Shirley Bohm, Nephews: Kevin Nutsch and Gary Cumro, Niece: Debra Cumro, Friends and buddies: Carl Wineinger and Henry Klee, and others. He is survived by 12 Nieces and Nephews. Margaret “Peggy” Nolte (Randall) of Western, Nebraska, Janet Schneider (Richard) of Hutchinson, Kansas, James Nutsch (Julie) of Fairbury, Greg Nutsch (Lori) of Beatrice. Stephen Cumro, Ken Cumro, Dan Cumro (Tiffini) all of Table Rock, NE, Dennis Cumro of Summerfield, KS, Janelle (Mike) Wolt of Omaha, NE, Kim (Jim) Franzen of Plymouth, NE, Kay (Daylon) Theye of Odell, NE, Kris (Kenny) Cook of Washington, KS, and their families. Stepchildren: Diane (Bryan) Diehn of Oskaloosa, KS, Robert (Diann) Lovgren of Wylie, TX, Charles (Penny) Lovgren of Kansas City, KS, and Sheryl Wenzl of Wichita, KS. Grandchildren and great grandchildren. Sister-in-law Sandy Cumro of Odell.Maurice Joseph “Pete” “Old M.J.” went to rest in Fairbury Nebraska on December 29, 2024, four days after his 101st birthday. Maurice’s family will be available for a “meet and greet” at 6:PM and also following the 7:PM Rosary on Friday evening, January 24th at the Gerdes Meyer Funeral Home in Fairbury. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at St. Michael’s Church in Fairbury at 10:30 AM Saturday, January 25th, with Father Justin Fulton officiating. In case of inclement weather these services will be re-scheduled.There will be no burial service as he finally achieved his lifelong dream of being accepted into medical school. Years ago, Pete donated his body to science at UNMC at Omaha and his cremains will be interred at a later date in the Hollenberg Cemetery just across the road from where he was born and lived until he married. b

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