Pauline Mazankowski

Pauline Mazankowski, 95, of Wood River, Nebraska, passed away on Tuesday, May 15, 2018 at home surrounded by her loving family.



Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 22, 2018 at the First Presbyterian Church in Wood River, with Rev. Brad Jepson officiating. Burial will be in the Wood River Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. on Monday, May 21, 2018 at the Apfel Funeral Home in Wood River.



Pauline was born on January 15, 1923 in rural Wood River, the daughter of Arthur and Dora (Bockmann) Wiese. She grew up in the Wood River area and received her education at Rural School District #44.



Pauline was united in marriage to Charles C. Huxtable on September 21, 1946 in Smith Center, Kansas. The couple made their home in Grand Island for a short time and then purchased a home in Wood River. They were blessed with two children, Cheryl and Dennis. Charles passed away unexpectedly on November 12, 1959. Pauline married Floyd Mazankowski in Loup City, Nebraska on February 5, 1966.



She was the friendly face that greeted customers at the Brass Rail in Wood River from the early 1940’s through the official closing and demolition of the Moore Opera House in 2000. She was well known for her chili dogs, broiled chicken and her warm caring nature.

Pauline enjoyed sewing, dancing, gardening, canning and spending time with her family and friends. Weeds always caught her attention, and she always stopped to pull them. She will be remembered for her love and great outlook on life. A special memory to her grandchildren was her “See You in the Funny Papers” instead of a simple “Good Bye”.



She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Wood River. Over the years, she also held memberships to Circle, Royal Neighbors, Platt Duetsche, Eagles Club and the Sunbeam Bowling Team.



Those left to cherish her memory include her daughter, Cheryl Hodges of Moore, OK, son and daughter-in-law Dennis & Barbara Huxtable of Wood River; four grandchildren, Lori & Jay Freeman of Oklahoma City, OK, Craig & Angela Huxtable of Wood River, Gina Richardson of Del City, OK, and Brenda & Kurtis Knapp of Grand Island; eleven great grandchildren and four great, great grandchildren.



Pauline is preceded in death by her parents, both of her husbands, sister Helen Wiese McAhren Lundy & Richard Lundy, her brothers Henry Wiese & Elsie Orash Schultz Wiese, Raymond & Irene Wiese, Elmer Wiese, and son-in-law Ronald E. Hodges.



Memorials are suggested to the donor’s choice.