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Harlan Schrieber
HOOPER — Harlan Schrieber, 84, a loving husband, devoted patriarch, faithful Christian, enthusiastic educator, cherished friend, and longtime resident of Hooper, died July 6, 2023, after a brief battle with cancer. Harlan was born in Sioux City, Iowa, Nov. 8, 1938, to William and Wilda, the first of four children. After graduating from Coleridge High School in 1956, Harlan briefly traveled to Seattle, where he worked as an electrician for the Boeing Corporation. Upon returning home to the Heartland, Harlan enlisted in the U.S. Army, proudly serving for two years, and playing the baritone in the Army Band. Proving that education was always of utmost importance to Harlan, he earned his bachelor of music and master of education degrees from Wayne State College. He started his teaching career as a band instructor at Coleridge Public Schools, quickly ascending to become Principal of Coleridge Junior/Senior High School. Despite his leadership duties and with a young family of four, soon to be five, at home, Harlan traveled by boat across the Missouri River in Vermillion, S.D., to attend night and summer classes to obtain his specialist degree in education administration from the University of South Dakota. In 1978, Harlan and his family relocated to Hooper, so he could serve as Principal at Logan View Junior/ Senior High School. He was promoted to Superintendent of Logan View Public Schools, a role he held for 14 years until his retirement in 2004. Harlan periodically returned to assist with interim administrative duties at Logan View school district and sat on the Board of the Education Service Unit, which helps school districts throughout Dodge County with teacher education and school needs. Throughout his career at Logan View, Harlan took pride in attending the school’s athletic events, consistently standing in the same spot, cheering the Raiders onto victory.
While working inside a music supply store in Wayne, Harlan used his quick wit and charm to impress Roma Reimers, Randolph, as she was buying a pitch pipe. After dating for four months, the couple became engaged and married in November 1964 at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Randolph. Through 58 years of marriage, the Schriebers welcomed five children, Mark, Mindy, Mia, Megan, and Marisa. Additionally, they fostered six children for the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, saving the best for last when they welcomed Ada (Quintana) Samuelson into their family. The Schrieber house was always full of activity, music, and their beloved dogs.
An outstanding handyman, Harlan took great pride in his home, always showing his craftsmanship while working on projects, his garden, and his yard, one of the greenest of grasses in Hooper. He played in several golf leagues throughout the Omaha area, usually teeing up with his closest friends, many of whom were former school administrators. He was at his happiest babysitting his six grandchildren or watching them compete in music or athletics. A loyal supporter of the Nebraska Cornhuskers, Harlan always knew how the Big Red performed in every sport. Under the direction of his favorite conductor, Roma, Harlan played the string bass and sang for church choirs at Redeemer Lutheran Church and First United Methodist Church, Fremont.
Harlan was preceded in death by his sister, Nondyce Young, and her husband, Bill; his brother, Jack; his sister-in-law, Teri; and his daughter, Mindy.
Survivors include his wife, Roma; his children, Mark (Jody), Lincoln; Mia, Omaha; Megan Beard (Brad), Elkhorn; Marisa (Kevin Tomich), Woodridge, Ill.; and Ada Samuelson (Jake), Lincoln; his grandchildren, Sam, Beau and Max Beard, Elkhorn; Eva and Ian Schrieber, Lincoln; Nevada Samuelson, Lincoln; and his sister, Julie Mills (Mike), Minneapolis, Minn.; as well as several cherished nieces and nephews.
A celebration of Harlan’s life will be July 12, at 10:30 a.m., at the First United Methodist Church, Fremont, with a luncheon to follow. The visitation was July 11 in Fremont at Ludvigsen Mortuary. There will be a private family interment before the celebration of life service.
In lieu of flowers, the Schrieber family welcomes donations toward a future memorial at Logan View Public Schools, honoring Harlan’s love and dedication to his students and his community.
