Francis *Bud* Mahlberg was born in Minden, IA on Sept. 8, 1922 to Ray and Barbara (Lustgraf) Mahlberg. He grew up in Iowa spending his summers working on hog farms for his uncles. He also raised hogs of his own when the family lived in Schuyler, NE. In 1939 the family moved to West Point, NE where his dad was a rural mail carrier. Bud graduated from Guardian Angels High School in 1940. Later that year he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. Bud served with the Third Marine Division and saw battle on Iwo Jima, Guadalcanal, Guam and Bougainville. He was honorably discharged with the rank of Sergeant on September 15, 1945 and returned to West Point. On June 24, 1947 he married the love of his life, Elsie Knobbe at St. Boniface Church, Monterey, NE. They lived in West Point and Bud worked for the U. S. Postal Service first as a mail carrier and later as assistant postmaster. After retiring with 38 years of service with the Post Office he went on to work at the West Point city park. Bud and Elsie were able to travel to many areas of the country and especially enjoyed going to Marine reunions. Bud lost Elsie to cancer in 1990. Bud was a member of the Knights of Columbus, V. F. W. Post 4912, American Legion Post 70, St. Mary*s Church, Central Catholic Booster Club and the Elwood Booster Club. Over the years he attended many Central Catholic sporting events and West Point Legion and Town team baseball games. During his later years he attended Elwood High School sporting events as well. In his early 80*s Bud moved to Omaha and then to Elwood NE. Bud was one of the heroes of the Greatest Generation who served our country in World War II and we are proud to call him Dad. Bud is survived by: Daughter – Mary (Mike) Parizek – Omaha Brian (Lisa) Parizek, Sidney, Emma, Lucy – Omaha Kristen (Roger) Schwers, Steven, Alex, lauren – Omaha Andy (Paula) Parizek, Lily, Oscar – Omaha Amy Tingelhoff and Isaac Schwartzenberger – Omaha Jill (Noel) Chandler – Scottsdale, AZ. Daughter – Jane (Tom) Ortmeier – Fort Collins, CO. Michael (Julie) Ortmeier, Ben, Andy * Denver, CO. Erin Ortmeier – Newton, MA. Daughter – Carol Mahlberg – Omaha Son – Kevin (Brenda) Mahlberg, Bryson, Bailey, Rachel – Elwood, NE. Brother – Jerry (Mary) Mahlberg – Fremont, NE. Sister – Virginia Hebbeln – Omaha Sister-in-law – Valeria Schlecht, West Point Brothers-in-law – Clem (Mildred) Knobbeand Harry (Doris) Knobbe – West Point Preceded in death by: Wife, Elsie, 3 infant children, parents, brother Ray Mahlberg and sisters Dolores Shaw and Rita Mahlberg (infant).