Murl E (Spitser) Gottula

Subhead

May 21, 1929 ~ January 5, 2021

Image
  • Murl E (Spitser) Gottula
    Murl E (Spitser) Gottula
Body

Murl E (Spitser) Gottula was born May 21, 1929, with her twin Pearl on a farm in Pawnee City, Nebraska to Frances and Clay Spitser. There were 5 other siblings, Albert, Ruth, Elmer, Walt and Cliff.

Murl went to Verdon High School where she and Pearl played volleyball winning many tournaments. She graduated in 1947. She worked as a clerk in Falls City before marrying Glen Hanika in November, 1948. Three children were born to this union: Mike, Linda and Kent. The family moved to Davenport, Iowa. In 1961 Murl and the kids moved to Pawnee City until their next move to Elk Creek in 1965 when Murl married Bus Gottula. Murl became a step-mother to Stan. She remained in Elk Creek until her death on January 5, 2021.

Murl is survived by her daughter Linda Hanika, Elk Creek, NE and sons Mike (Colleen) Hanika, Enterprise, AL and Kent (Pam) Hanika, Lincoln, NE and daughter-in-law Shirley Gottula, Merna, NE; grandchildren: Amy (Skye) McNan, Dothan, AL, Clay (Ryan) Hanika, Prince Frederick, MD, Chelsea (Cody) Waller, Lincoln, NE; great grandchildren: Jaxson, Jarett, and Jace Waller, Anthony and Madeline Steen, Brennan, Brice, and Amia McNan, Abigail Hanika, Eli and Olivia Smith, and Carissa and Laylah Steen; sister Pearl Schulenberg, Orion, IL; sister-in-law Betty Spitser, Pawnee City, NE, and many nieces and nephews.

Murl was preceded in death by her parents, Clay and Frances Spitser, brothers Albert, Elmer, Walt (Shirley) and Cliff Spitser, sister Ruth Appling (Jerry), brother-in-law Marvin Schulenberg, granddaughter Alisha Steen, nieces Carolyn DeBackere and Evelyn (Randy) Horton, nephew Kevin Spitser, step-son Stan Gottula, and ex-husbands Glen Hanika and Bus Gottula.

Services were at 11:00 a.m.,Monday, January 11, 2021 at the United Presbyterian Church/Christian Church, Pawnee City, Nebraska, officiating was Pastor Connor Barr. Visitation was on Sunday, January 10, 2021 from Noon-8:00 p.m., with family greeting friends from 4-6 p.m. at Wherry Mortuary, 919 G Street, Pawnee City, Nebraska. Mask were required at the service and visitation. A livestream of services was available on the Wherry Mortuary/Monument Facebook page for those not able to attend the service. Interment was at the Pawnee City Cemetery. Memorials to family choice. Online condolence may be left at www. wherrymortuary.com